Verb tr.: To attribute, ascribe, or credit, often unfairly.

Etymology: From Old French imputer, from Latin imputare, from in- (in) + putare (to assess, reckon). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pau- (to cut, stroke, or stamp), which is also the source of amputate, compute, dispute, count, pavid, puerile, and catchpole. Earliest documented use: 1480.

Usage: “‘There’s a tendency to impute much greater skill on the part of somebody like Jamie Dimon, who is very smooth,’ Bill Miller says.” Hugh Son; Bank of America Chief’s Tumbles Turn Into Strides; The Washington Post; Mar 10, 2013.