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Added 9 October 2026

impeach

/ɪmˈpiːt͡ʃ/ verb

Latin root: impedicāre Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about impeach at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To hinder, impede, or prevent.
To bring a legal proceeding against a public official.
President Clinton was impeached by the House in November 1998, but since the Senate acquitted him, he was not removed from office.
To charge with impropriety; to discredit; to call into question.

Origin

From Middle English empechen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman empecher, from Old French empeechier (“to hinder”), from Latin impedicāre (“to fetter”). Cognate with French empêcher (“to prevent”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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