The formal process of charging a public official with misconduct in office, typically involving accusations of high crimes and misdemeanors. Impeachment is the accusation phase, followed by a separate trial to determine removal from office.
From Old French 'empeechier,' meaning 'to hinder' or 'to catch,' derived from Latin 'impedicare' (to fetter). The legal meaning evolved to describe the process of challenging or accusing officials of wrongdoing, particularly in English parliamentary procedure.
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