arraign etymology

Etymology

The word "arraign" comes from the Old French word "areigner," which in turn comes from the Latin word "adrationare," meaning "to accuse."

Meaning

To arraign means to formally accuse someone of a crime in a court of law. The arraignment is the first step in the criminal justice process, and it is where the defendant is informed of the charges against them and their rights.

Origin

The practice of arraigning defendants originated in medieval England. In the early days of the English common law system, defendants were not entitled to legal representation, and they were often interrogated by the judge in order to obtain a confession. Over time, the arraignment process became more formalized, and defendants were given the right to have an attorney present.

Today, the arraignment is a critical stage in the criminal justice process. It is the defendant's first opportunity to hear the charges against them and to enter a plea. The arraignment also sets the stage for the rest of the criminal proceedings, including the discovery process, the trial, and the sentencing.

arraign relate terms

• reign

  Etymology Middle English regnen from Old French regner from Latin regnare from rex

• arraignment

  Etymology 14th century from Anglo Norman French arenger from Old French arengier from

• arraign

  Etymology The word arraign comes from the Old French word areigner which in turn com

• accuse

  Etymology The word accuse comes from Old French acuser Medieval Latin accusare

• impeach

  Etymology The word impeach originates from Old French empeechier and dates back to th

• indict

  Etymology From Middle French enditer from Old French enditier to compose from Lat

• charge

  Etymology The word charge comes from the Old French word carge which in turn derives

• ratio

  Etymology Ratio is derived from the Latin word ratio which means Account Reckoning

• enigma

  Etymology The word enigma comes from the Greek word αἴνιγμα ainigma meaning

• profane

  Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem

• hybrid

  Etymology Hybrid is derived from the Latin word hybrida which means mongrel or off

• pastor

  Etymology Latin pastor meaning shepherd or herdsman Old English pastor mean

• adventure

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French aventure from Latin adventūra literal