arraignment
Americannoun
-
Law. an act or instance of bringing someone before a criminal court to hear an indictment, or formal charge, against them and to enter a plea in response to that charge.
At her arraignment Crane pleaded not guilty, and the trial was set for May 21.
-
a calling into question or a finding fault, especially with respect to the value or virtue of something; critical examination.
In his arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the nation's social fabric, he drew special attention to racism.
Other Word Forms
- nonarraignment noun
Etymology
Origin of arraignment
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English arainement, from Middle French araisnement; equivalent to arraign + -ment
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was released from jail after promising to show up for his arraignment.
From Los Angeles Times
He is due to appear in court on Tuesday for his arraignment.
From Los Angeles Times
A preliminary hearing is set for March 17 and arraignment for March 26, court records show.
From Los Angeles Times
His arraignment will be scheduled at a later date, prosecutors said.
From Los Angeles Times
An arraignment would usually take place much sooner, but Reiner was unable to appear at the first scheduled attempt.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
