indict
in-DITEverbMeaning to formally charge someone with a crime
Memory hook in-DITE: the INVITE no one wants. The court’s letter is an invitation nobody wants: it formally charges the thief with stealing the town’s golden goose. To indict is to charge someone with a crime.
The grand jury voted to indict the banker for stealing from his clients.
In context Because the evidence was strong, the grand jury indicted the shop owner, and a trial was set for the spring.
Similar charge, accuse, prosecute
Opposite acquit, exonerate, clear
From Anglo-French enditer, “to accuse,” from Latin in + dictare (to declare); the c was added later to match the Latin.