Criminal definition | Dictionary.com

crim⋅i⋅nal

[krim-uh-nl]

–adjective

1.	of the nature of or involving crime.

2.	guilty of crime.

3.	Law. of or pertaining to crime or its punishment: a criminal proceeding.

4.	senseless; foolish: It's criminal to waste so much good food.

5.	exorbitant; grossly overpriced: They charge absolutely criminal prices.

–noun

6.	a person guilty or convicted of a crime.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < AF < LL crīminālis, equiv. to L crīmin- (s. of crīmen; see crime ) + -ālis -al ¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Criminal

Spanish:

criminal,

German:

Straf-…,

Japanese:

犯罪の

View 30 other languages »

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crim·i·nal (krĭm'ə-nəl) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Of, involving, or having the nature of crime: criminal abuse.
Relating to the administration of penal law.
1. Guilty of crime.
2. Characteristic of a criminal.
Shameful; disgraceful: a criminal waste of talent.

n. One that has committed or been legally convicted of a crime.

[Middle English, from Old French criminel, from Late Latin crīminālis, from Latin crīmen, crīmin-, accusation; see crime.]
crim'i·nal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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criminal
adjective
1.	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]
2.	guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight of God and man"
3.	involving or being or having the nature of a crime; "a criminal offense"; "criminal abuse"; "felonious intent"
noun
1.	someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Main Entry: ¹crim·i·nal
Pronunciation: 'kri-m&-n&l
Function: adjective
1 : relating to, involving, or being a crime <criminal neglect> <criminal conduct>
2 : relating to crime or its prosecution criminal action> <criminal code> —compare CIVIL 4, PENAL

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: ²criminal
Function: noun
1 : one who has committed a crime
2 : a person who has been convicted of a crime

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Criminal

Crim"i*nal\ (kr?m"?-nal), a. [L. criminalis, fr. crimen: cf. F. criminel. See Crime.]

1. Guilty of crime or sin.

The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of God. --Rogers.

2. 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. --Addison.

3. 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. --Hallam.

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

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.