impeachment
UK[ɪmˈpiːtʃmənt]US[ɪmˈpiːtʃmənt]
n
the act of charging a public official with a serious crime while in office.
n
the state of being charged with such a crime.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
peach
ment
im
in, into, on
peach
to hinder, accuse
ment
Etymology
The word 'impeachment' entered English in the late 14th century from Anglo-French 'empechement', meaning 'hindrance, accusation'. Its core, 'peach', derives from the Latin verb 'impedicare', meaning 'to entangle' (from 'in-' + 'pedica' for 'fetter'). This literal sense of 'catching by the foot' evolved metaphorically into 'hindering' and then specifically 'accusing or charging with a crime'. The suffix '-ment' solidifies it as a noun denoting the action or process. Thus, the modern political term retains the original logic of formally 'entangling' or accusing an official to hinder their continued tenure.
Analysis
Structure: im + peach + ment
im- (Latin prefix, meaning 'in, into, on'), peach (from Old French 'empeechier', meaning 'to hinder, accuse'), -ment (Latin suffix via French, forming nouns of action or state).
Examples
the congress voted to proceed with the president's impeachment.
the grounds for impeachment are outlined in the constitution.
he was acquitted by the senate after a lengthy impeachment trial.