crim·i·nal   (krĭm'ə-nəl)    adj.   Of, involving, or having the nature of crime: criminal abuse. Relating to the administration of penal law. Guilty of crime. 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.

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.

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