Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Impeachment
Im-peach′ment
,Noun.
[Cf. F.
empêchement
.] The act of impeaching, or the state of being impeached
; as: (a)
Hindrance; impediment; obstruction.
[Obs.]
(b)
A calling to account; arraignment; especially, of a public officer for maladministration.
(c)
A calling in question as to purity of motives, rectitude of conduct, credibility, etc.; accusation; reproach;
as, an
. impeachment
of motivesShak.
☞ In England, it is the privilege or right of the House of Commons to impeach, and the right of the House of Lords to try and determine impeachments. In the United States, it is the right of the House of Representatives to impeach, and of the Senate to try and determine impeachments.
Articles of impeachment
. See under
– Article
. Impeachment of waste
(Law)
, restraint from, or accountability for, injury; also, a suit for damages for injury.
Abbott.
Webster 1828 Edition
Impeachment
IMPE'ACHMENT
,Noun.
1.
An accusation or charge brought against a public officer for maladministration in his office. In Great Britain, it is the privilege or right of the house of commons to impeach, and the right of the house of lords to try and determine impeachments. In the U. States, it is the right of the house of representatives to impeach, and of the senate to try and determine impeachments. In Great Britain, the house of peers, and in the U. States,the senate of the U.States, and the senates in the several states, are the high courts of impeachment.2.
The act of impeaching.3.
Censure; accusation; a calling in question the purity of motives or the rectitude of conduct, &c. This declaration is no impeachment of his motives or of his judgment.4.
The act of calling to account, as for waste.5.
The state of being liable to account, as for waste.