impute

[im-pyoot]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impute ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), im·put·ed, im·put·ing.

to attribute or ascribe: The children imputed magical powers to the old woman.

to attribute or ascribe (something discreditable), as to a person.

Law. to ascribe to or charge (a person) with an act or quality because of the conduct of another over whom one has control or for whose acts or conduct one is responsible.

Theology. to attribute (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to a person or persons vicariously; ascribe as derived from another.

Obsolete. to charge (a person) with fault.

Origin of impute

1325–75; Middle English imputen < Latin imputāre, equivalent to im- im-¹ + putāre to assess, reckon, think; see putative

Related formsim·put·a·ble, adjectiveim·put·a·tive

[im-pyoo-tuh-tiv] /ɪmˈpyu tə tɪv/, adjectiveim·put·a·tive·ly, adverbim·put·a·tive·ness, nounim·put·ed·ly, adverbim·put·er, nounnon·im·put·a·ble, adjectivenon·im·put·a·ble·ness, nounnon·im·put·a·bly, adverbnon·im·put·a·tive, adjectivenon·im·put·a·tive·ly, adverbnon·im·put·a·tive·ness, nounun·im·put·a·ble, adjective

Can be confusedimpugn impute

Synonym study

1. See attribute.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for impute

ascribe, adduce, reference, hint, indict, brand, stigmatize, censure, blame, credit, charge, insinuate, lay, accuse, accredit, intimate, assign, refer

Examples from the Web for impute

Contemporary Examples of impute

As a former rock critic, Ms. Maslin should know better than to impute bad intent here.
The Maslin Stain: A Writer Defends Himself Against the NYT Critic
William Stadiem
February 1, 2013
People will impute responsibility on them for the actions of the family member.
Wisconsin Spa Shooting Brings Back Painful Memories for the Moms of Mass Killers
Winston Ross
October 25, 2012
Fringe characters—guides, drivers—sometimes appear out of nowhere, with the reader being left to impute who "Vanya" is.
Great Weekend Reads
The Daily Beast
January 22, 2011

Historical Examples of impute

Desires her to treat her freely; but wishes not that she should impute love to her; and why.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
But I sincerely hope you do not impute improper motives to the incognito?
Homeward Bound
James Fenimore Cooper
Say what you like of the mother, but you shall not impute such motives to Alice.
Tony Butler
Charles James Lever
The natives, however, impute these defects to the wetness of the season.
Little Masterpieces of Science: Explorers
Various
I impute nothing whatever to him, he was ever most kind to me.
Apologia Pro Vita Sua
John Henry Cardinal Newman

British Dictionary definitions for impute

impute

verb (tr)

to attribute or ascribe (something dishonest or dishonourable, esp a criminal offence) to a person

to attribute to a source or causeI impute your success to nepotism

commerce to give (a notional value) to goods or services when the real value is unknown

Derived Formsimputation, nounimputative, adjectiveimputer, noun

Word Origin for impute

C14: from Latin imputāre, from im- + putāre to think, calculate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impute

early 15c., from Old French imputer (14c.) and directly from Latin imputare "to reckon, make account of, charge, ascribe," from assimilated form of in- "in, into" (see in- (2)) + putare "reckon, clear up, trim, prune, settle" (see pave). Related: Imputed; imputing.