Etymograph

English

impeach

Impeach comes from Middle English empechen ‘to hinder’, from Latin impedicō ‘to fetter’, and ultimately from pedis ‘foot’.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEpedis‘foot’
  2. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEpedica‘shackle, fetter’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEimpedicōas impedicāre‘to fetter’
  4. Old Frenchc. 842–1400empeechier‘to hinder’
  5. Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400empecher
  6. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500empechen‘to hinder’
  7. Englishearliest quotation 1612impeach

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history not traced here.

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEpedis‘foot’
  2. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEpedica‘shackle, fetter’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEimpedicōas impedicāre‘to fetter’
  4. Old Frenchc. 842–1400empeechier‘to hinder’
  5. Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400empecher
  6. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500empechen‘to hinder’
  7. Englishearliest quotation 1612impeach

Earliest quotation: 1612, John Davies: “These ungracious practices of his sons did impeach his…”

Linked words

through Latin pedis ‘foot’

expedition, expedite, pedantry, pedant, 15 more

through Old French empeechier ‘to hinder’

dispatch, 2 more

Today it means

verb To hinder, impede, or prevent.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Latin pedis / impeach

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