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.
Impeachment is like a political indictment - it doesn't mean you're fired, it just means you're formally accused and now face trial, which is why presidents can be impeached but still finish their term if the Senate doesn't convict them!
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