indictable

Adjective

indictable (comparative more indictable, superlative most indictable)

1. Subjecting one to an indictment. (of an act)
   • Do not then charge men as too strict or precise, when they endeavour to abstain from idle thoughts and idle words, that they dare not give themselves that licence which others take, for these are indictable as well as great sins;1658, Anthony Burgess, “A Demonstration of the Day of Judgment”, in A Treatise of Self-Judging, London: T. Underhill, page 61
   • Stoppage of streets, by coaches standing at places of entertainment, &c. &c. are public nusances, and indictable.1786, John Trusler, The London Adviser and Guide, London: for the author, page 132
2. Able or deserving to be indicted. (of a person)
   • […] for Lords, Judges, and Justices of all sorts may, and too often do transgress the laws, as other men, and so of equals or Superiours, become subject to the justice of their associats in Commission […] being transfigured from Superiour Judges of the Law, to Inferiour Trespassers against it...1653, John Jones, Lawyers Unmask’d, London: Thomas Matthewes, pages 5–6
   • In order to sustain his argument in the impeachment of Justice Samuel Chase, Luther Martin, his leading counsel, maintained that judges were indictable for violation of their official duties.1973, Raoul Berger, Impeachment: The Constitutional Problems, Harvard University Press, Appendix B, p. 307

   Synonyms:

   chargeable