From Middle English implicaten, borrowed from Latin implicatus, the past participle of implicare, meaning to fold in, entangle, involve, or embroil. The Latin root combines in- with plicare, to fold, the same broad root family behind words connected with folding and involvement.
What does implicate mean?
It means to connect someone or something with wrongdoing, a cause, or a consequence.
Is implicate a negative word?
It often has a negative sense when it connects someone with a crime or scandal, but it can also be neutral in research or legal analysis.
What preposition follows implicated?
The usual pattern is implicated in, as in She was implicated in the scandal.
What is the difference between implicate and imply?
Imply usually means suggest indirectly. Implicate often means involve someone in wrongdoing or bring an issue into consequence.
Can research implicate a gene or factor?
Yes. Research can implicate a gene, factor, or pathway, meaning it points to involvement rather than always proving final cause.
What are synonyms of implicate?
Useful synonyms include incriminate, involve, connect, link, entail, and imply, depending on the sense.
What forms does implicate have?
The regular forms are implicates, implicating, and implicated.