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impute

[ im-pyoot ]
/ ɪmˈpyut /
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See synonyms for: impute / imputed / imputes / imputable 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.
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Origin of impute

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

synonym study for impute

1. See attribute.

OTHER WORDS FROM impute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impute

impugn, impute
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to impute

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

How to use impute in a sentence

  • She was no fighter from choice, no imputer of evil motives, but her love for her brother amounted almost to idolatry.

    The Reclaimers|Margaret Hill McCarter

British Dictionary definitions for impute

impute
/ (ɪmˈpjuːt) /
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 forms of impute

imputation, 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
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