Main Entry:

ar·raign

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈrān\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English arreinen, from Anglo-French areisner, arener, from a- (from Latin ad-) + raisner to address, from Vulgar Latin *rationare, from Latin ration-, ratio reason — more at reason

Date:

14th century

1 : to call (a defendant) before a court to answer to an indictment : charge 2 : to accuse of wrong, inadequacy, or imperfection

— ar·raign·ment \-mənt\ noun