Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French criminel, from Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimin- crimen crime
Pronunciation : 'kri-m&-n
&l
Function : adjective
Date : 15th century
1. person who has committed a crime. illegal, against the law, felonious. criminal\crim"i*nal\, n. one who has commited a crime; especially, one who is found guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon.criminal \crim"i*nal\ (kr?m"?-nal), a. [l. criminalis, fr. crimen: cf. f. criminel. see:
crime.].
2. guilty of crime or sin. the neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of god.
3. involving a crime; of the nature of a crime; -- said of an act or of conduct; as, criminal carelessness. foppish and fantastic ornaments are only indications of vice, not criminal in themselves.
4. relating to crime; -- opposed to civil; as, the criminal code. the officers and servants of the crown, violating the personal liberty, or other right of the subject were in some cases liable to criminal process.criminal action (law), an action or suit instituted to secure conviction and punishment for a crime.criminal conversation (law), unlawful intercourse with a married woman; adultery; -- usually abbreviated, crim. con.criminal law, the law which relates to crimes.criminal adj.
5. relating to crime or its punishment; "criminal court".
6. bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure; "a criminal waste of talent"; "a deplorable act of violence"; "adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife" [syn: condemnable, deplorable, reprehensible].
7. guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight of god and man".
8. involving or being or having the nature of a crime; "a criminal offense"; "criminal abuse"; "felonious intent" [syn: felonious] someone who has committed (or been legally convicted of) a crime [syn: felon, crook, outlaw, malefactor].
9. Guilty of crime or sin.
10. Involving a crime; of the nature of a crime; said of an act or of conduct; as, criminal carelessness.
11. Relating to crime; opposed to civil; as, the criminal code.
12. One who has commited a crime; especially, one who is found guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon. someone who has committed a crime guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight of God and man" involving or being or having the nature of a crime; "a criminal offense"; "criminal abuse"; "felonious intent" relating to crime or its punishment; "criminal court".
13. 1. A criminal is a person who regularly commits crimes. A group of gunmen attacked a prison and set free nine criminals in Moroto.
14. Criminal means connected with crime. Her husband faces various criminal charges.
15. disapproval If you describe an action as criminal, you think it is very wrong or a serious mistake. He said a full-scale dispute involving strikes would be criminal. someone who is involved in illegal activities or has been proved guilty of a crime. International Criminal Police Organization criminal law International Criminal Court.