Crime
Crime (krīm) , noun
[French crime, from Latin crimen judicial decision, that which is subjected to such a decision, charge, fault, crime, from the root of cernere to decide judicially. See Certain.]
1.
Any violation of law, either divine or human; an omission of a duty commanded, or the commission of an act forbidden by law.
2.
Gross violation of human law, in distinction from a misdemeanor or trespass, or other slight offense. Hence, also, any aggravated offense against morality or the public welfare; any outrage or great wrong.
To part error from crime.
Crimes, in the English common law, are grave offenses which were originally capitally punished (murder, rape, robbery, arson, burglary, and larceny), as distinguished from misdemeanors, which are offenses of a lighter grade. See Misdemeanors.
3.
Any great wickedness or sin; iniquity.
No crime was thine, if 'tis no crime to love.
4.
That which occasion crime. [Obsolete]
The tree of life, the crime of our first father's fall.
Collocations (1)
Capital crime , a crime punishable with death.