▪ I. † aˈppeach, v. Obs.
Forms: 4–6 apeche, 5–6 appech(e, -eache, 6 apeach(e, 5–7 appeach. See also aphet. peach.
[Represents an earlier *anpeche (see a- prefix 10, an- prefix 4), Eng. or AFr. form of enpeche-r, OF. empechier, empeechier, cogn. with Pr. empedegar:—L. impedicā-re to catch by the feet, entangle, f. im in + pedica a chain or gin for the feet, a fetter, f. ped-em foot. An-peche, after phonetic reduction to a-peche, was popularly aphetized in 15th c. to peche, now peach v.; but also, in same century, erroneously refashioned as ap-peche (after words from OF. in a- = L. ad-: see ap- prefix1), which in the reformed spelling of c 1525 was written appeach. Meanwhile Caxton had reintroduced enpeche, empeche from contemporary Fr. empescher; which, latinized and respelt as impeach, has since displaced appeach, and is the extant word.]
1. To hinder, impede, delay. (Fr. empêcher.)
| c 1460 Townley Myst. 10 How long wilt thou me appech With thy sermonyng. Ibid. 168 My fader lyst may none appeche. |
2. To charge with crime, accuse, inform against, impeach (a person).
| 1401 Pol. Poems II. 46 Thou spekist proudely, apechyng oure prestes. 1580 Baret Alv. A 464 To appeach or bewray his felowes, Conscios prodere. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, v. ii. 79 Now by mine honor..I will appeach the Villaine. 1650 S. Clarke Eccl. Hist. (1654) I. 18 Other men which are appeached..are not condemned till they are first convicted. |
b. Const., of or for the offence, to or unto a judge.
| c 1315 Shoreham 38 Betere hys ffor te apeched be Of more forȝefnesse Than wreche. 1414 Brampton 7 Penit. Ps. xviii, Ȝyf God..Of no synne may the apeche. 1540 Elyot Image Govt. (1556) 155 They apeached him unto the emperour. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 356/1 Who also..appeached manie for stealing of horsses. 1649 Milton Eikon. iv. (1851) 366 Twelve Cypher Bishops, who were immediately appeacht of Treason. |
3. To bring a charge against, cast imputation upon, asperse (honour, character, etc.).
| 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy iii. xxii, Shameful reporte your honour shall apeche. 1641 Milton Animadv. (1851) 196 Whether this appeach not the judgement, and approbation of the Parliament. 1700 Dryden Pal. & Arcite i. 300 Nor dar'st thou, traitor, on the plain Appeach my honour. |
4. To accuse, inform against (a crime, etc.).
| 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy iv. xxv, My bloude your gylte hereafter shall apeche. 1548 Hall Chron. 459 To appeache and quenche this newe spronge conspiracy. 1658 Rowland Mouffet's Theat. Ins. 1051 Galen..hath proved it to be false, and appeacheth it for a lie. |
5. intr. To give accusatory evidence; to ‘peach.’
| 1601 Shakes. All's Well i. iii. 197 Disclose the state of your affection, for your passions Haue to the full appeach'd. |
▪ II. † aˈppeach, n. Obs. rare—1.
[f. prec. vb.]
An impeachment or accusation.
| 1628 Coke On Litt. 123 b, Appeale..commeth of the French word Appeller, that signifieth to accuse or to appeach: An Appeach. |