impeached
UK[ɪmˈpiːtʃt]US[ɪmˈpiːtʃt]
v
(especially in a political context) to charge (a public official) with a serious crime committed while in office, with the aim of removing them from that office.
v
to challenge the validity or integrity of (something), such as a person's character or testimony.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
peach
ed
im
in
peach
to fasten
ed
verb suffix, past tense
Etymology
the word "impeach" entered english in the late 14th century via anglo-french 'empecher', meaning "to impede, accuse, bring charges against". this derives from late latin 'impedicare' – "to catch, entangle" – which itself is formed from the latin prefix 'in-' (in) and 'pedica' (a shackle, fetter), from 'pes' (foot). the literal image is of catching or ensnaring someone by the foot. the legal sense of accusing a public official emerged in english law, carrying the figurative sense of "catching" them in wrongdoing and holding them to account. the modern meaning retains this core idea of formally charging and attempting to restrain or remove an official from power due to alleged misconduct.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + peach (to fasten) + ed (verb suffix, past tense)
- im: a prefix from latin 'in-' meaning "in, into, on". here it functions as an intensifier.
- peach: from old french 'empeechier', meaning "to hinder, impede", from late latin 'impedicare' meaning "to catch, entangle" (from 'pedica' meaning "shackle"). in this word, it carries the core sense of "to fetter, to accuse".
- ed: a suffix from old english '-ede', '-ode', '-ad', used to form the past tense and past participle of regular verbs.
Examples
the house of representatives impeached the president for abuse of power.
his credibility was impeached by the discovery of contradictory evidence.
several federal judges have been impeached and removed from office in u.s. history.