Etymology Map
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Impeach

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to charge a public official with misconduct

Where does the word "impeach" come from? It comes from Late Latin impedicare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
impedicare
Late Latin · ancient
"to fetter"
'in-' plus 'pedica', fetter, from 'pes', foot
2
Stage 2 of 3
empeechier
Old French · medieval
"to hinder"
from Late Latin 'pedica', fetter, from 'pes', foot
3
Stage 3 of 3
impeach
English · 1300s
"to hinder"
the political sense of charging an official dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Impeach’s story begins in Late Latin: impedicare meant “to fetter.” 'in-' plus 'pedica', fetter, from 'pes', foot. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as empeechier. From Late Latin 'pedica', fetter, from 'pes', foot. It reached English by 1300s as impeach. The political sense of charging an official dates from the 1600s. Today, impeach means to charge a public official with misconduct.