criminate

American  

[krim-uh-neyt] / ˈkrɪm əˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

criminated, criminating

1. to charge with a crime.

2. to incriminate.

3. to censure (something) as criminal; condemn.

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criminate British  

/ ˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt, -trɪ, ˈkrɪmɪnətərɪ /

verb

1. to charge with a crime; accuse

2. to condemn or censure (an action, event, etc)

3. short for incriminate

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Other Word Forms

• crimination noun
• criminative adjective
• criminator noun

Etymology

Origin of criminate

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin crīminātus, past participle of crīminārī “to accuse”; see origin at crime, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Incriminate, in-krim′in-āt, v.t. to charge with a crime or fault, to criminate: to characterise as criminal or as accessory to crime.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Nay, prisoner, you are not called on to say what may criminate you.

From The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II) by Lever, Charles James

I am too much of a lawyer," he said, "to criminate myself, pardner, and you'll have to excuse me from going into further details.

From The Mystery of the Locks by Howe, Edgar Watson

He may not be asked questions tending to criminate his wife.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various

"How so?" asked Leuthold quietly, believing that he had destroyed every scrap of paper that could criminate him.

From Only a Girl: or, A Physician for the Soul. by Hillern, Wilhelmine von