querelare

to file a complaint, to sue

verb kweh-reh-LAH-reh Rare

Origin: From querela (formal legal complaint), from Latin 'querela' (complaint).

Usage Note

Querelare is a specific legal term: to file a querela (a formal criminal complaint that initiates prosecution) against someone. It takes avere: l'ha querelato per diffamazione. Do not confuse with denunciare (to report to police) — querelare is the act of the injured party formally pressing charges.

Examples

"Ha deciso di querelare il giornalista per diffamazione."

Natural Translation

She decided to sue the journalist for defamation.

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