accusatorial

[ uh-kyoo-zuh-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr- ]

adjective

1. of, like, or pertaining to an accuser.

accusatorial

/ ˌækjʊˈzeɪtərɪ; əˈkjuːzətərɪ; -trɪ; əˌkjuːzəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. containing or implying blame or strong criticism
2. law denoting criminal procedure in which the prosecutor is distinct from the judge and the trial is conducted in public Compare inquisitorial

Other Words From

• ac·cusa·tori·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of accusatorial¹

First recorded in 1815–25; accusatory + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The proceeding, too, was inquisitorial, not accusatorial: it required no accusers.

From Project Gutenberg