delate

[ dih-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·lat·ed, de·lat·ing.

1. Chiefly Scot. to inform against; denounce or accuse.
2. Archaic. to relate; report:

   to delate an offense.

delate

/ dɪˈleɪt /

verb

1. (formerly) to bring a charge against; denounce; impeach
2. rare.
   to report (an offence, etc)
3. obsolete.
   to make known or public

Derived Forms

• deˈlation, noun
• deˈlator, noun

Other Words From

• de·lation noun
• de·lator de·later noun
• del·a·to·ri·an [del-, uh, -, tawr, -ee-, uh, n, -, tohr, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delate¹

1505–15; < Latin dēlātus (suppletive past participle of dēferre to bring down, report, accuse), equivalent to dē- de- + lā- carry (past participle stem of ferre ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of delate¹

C16: from Latin dēlātus, from dēferre to bring down, report, indict, from de- + ferre to bear

Example Sentences

Elders were ordered by the minister to search the town and “to delate the absentees.”

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps this party division is necessary to induce each to watch and delate to the people the proceedings of the other.

From Project Gutenberg