ac|cuse

ac|cuse «uh KYOOZ», verb, -cused, -cus|ing.

–v.t.

1. to charge with having done something wrong, with being something bad, or with having broken the law: »

The driver was accused of speeding. He was accused as accessory to the crime.

SYNONYM(S): denounce, arraign, indict. See syn. under charge. (Cf. ↑charge)

2. to place the blame on; find fault with; blame; censure: »

The President accused Congress for the delay in passing his program. She sent for Blanche to accuse her face to face (Tennyson). Accusing the times is but excusing ourselves.

–v.i.

to bring an accusation: »

He accused no more, But dumbly shrank before accusing throngs Of thought (George Eliot).

╂[< Old French acuser < Latin accūsāre < ad- against + causa cause, reason]