Impeachment

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The act of impeaching, or the state of being impeached; as:

2. Hindrance; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.] Willing to march on to Calais, Without impeachment. Shak.

3. A calling to account; arraignment; especially, of a public officer for maladministration. The consequence of Coriolanus' impeachment had like to have been fatal to their state. Swift.

4. A calling in question as to purity of motives, rectitude of conduct, credibility, etc.; accusation; reproach; as, an impeachment of motives. Shak.