Definition of criminal
Etymology
From Middle English, from Anglo-Norman criminal, from Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimen ("crime")
Pronunciation
Adjective
criminal (comparative more criminal, superlative most criminal)
- Being against the [[law], forbidden by legislation.
- Guilty of breaking the law.
- (law) In various legal systems, the most serious type of law-breaking, carrying graver sentences then one or more 'lesser' categories
Our superior penal courts deal with crimes, leaving misdemeanors and minor offenses to lower tribunals, at least in first instance
- Of or relating to crime, criminality.
- (figuratively) As abhorrent as vile crime, in a moral, logical or other non-legal context
Printing such asinine opinions without rebuttal is criminal, even when not liable!
- Of or relating to crime control, notably penal law.
His criminal record shows his resistance to all crime prevention and - repression.
Synonyms
Noun
criminal (plural criminals)
- A person who is guilty of a crime, notably breaking the law.
Synonyms
- lawbreaker
- offender
- perpetrator
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
|
