Incrimination
/ɪnˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/noun
The act of accusing someone or making them appear guilty of a crime.
Did you know?It ultimately comes from Latin crimen, a word that meant not just “charge” but also “fault” or “offense,” so the word’s history is built around the idea of naming guilt into existence.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
crimen
“A charge, accusation, fault, or crime.”
Late Latin
Latin
criminare
“To accuse or charge with a crime.”
Late Latin
Latin
incriminare
“To accuse, implicate, or make appear guilty.”
Middle French
French
incriminer
“To accuse or implicate.”
Late 16th–17th Century
English
incrimination
“The act of accusing or implicating in a crime.”
Explore more surprising origins