online medical dictionary | definition of imputation

1. The act of imputing or charging; attribution; ascription; also, anything imputed or charged. "Shylock. Antonio is a good man. Bassanio. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?" (Shak) "If I had a suit to Master Shallow, I would humor his men with the imputation of being near their master." (Shak)

2. Charge or attribution of evil; censure; reproach; insinuation. "Let us be careful to guard ourselves against these groundless imputation of our enemies." (Addison)

3. A setting of something to the account of; the attribution of personal guilt or personal righteousness of another; as, the imputation of the sin of Adam, or the righteousness of Christ.

4. Opinion; intimation; hint.

Origin: L. Imputatio an account, a charge: cf. F. Imputation.

(01 Mar 1998)