Main Entry:

im·pli·cate

Pronunciation:

\ˈim-plə-ˌkāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

im·pli·cat·ed; im·pli·cat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, to convey by implication, from Medieval Latin implicatus, past participle of implicare, from Latin, to entwine, involve — more at employ

Date:

15th century

1: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference : imply2archaic : to fold or twist together : entwine3 a: to bring into intimate or incriminating connection <evidence that implicates him in the bombing> b: to involve in the nature or operation of something