Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AR-RAIGN', v.t. [arra'ne. Norm. arraner, arraisoner, and aresner to put to answer, to arraign. The usual derivation of this word, from Sax. wregan, gewregan, to accuse, is probably incorrect. It appears to be of Norman origin, and if s is radical, it coincides in origin with L. reus, contracted from the root of res.]

1. To call or set a prisoner at the bar of a court, to answer to the matter charged against him in an indictment or information. When called, the indictment is read to him, and he is put to plead, guilty or not guilty, and to elect by whom he will be tried. – Blackstone.
2. According to law writers, to set in order; to fit for trial; as, to arraign a writ of novel disseisin. To arraign the assize, is to cause the tenant to be called to make the plaint, and set the cause in order, that the tenant may be brought to answer. – Cowel.
3. To accuse; to charge with faults. Johnson. More correctly, to call before the bar of reason, or taste; to call in question, for faults, before any tribunal. They will not arraign you for want of knowledge. – Dryden.