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misdemeanor
7 dictionary results for: misdemeanor
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
mis·de·mean·or       [mis-di-mee-ner] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.Law. a criminal offense defined as less serious than a felony.
2.an instance of misbehavior; misdeed.
Also, especially British, mis·de·mean·our.


[Origin: 1480–90; mis-1 + demeanor]
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
mis·de·mean·or       (mĭs'dĭ-mē'nər)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. A misdeed.
  2. Law An offense less serious than a felony.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
misdemeanor 
"legal class of indictable offenses," 1487; from mis- (1) "wrong" + M.E. demenure (see demeanor).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
misdemeanor

noun
a crime less serious than a felony 

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
misdemeanor [(mis-di-mee-nuhr)]

A minor crime, punishable by a fine or a light jail term. Common misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, are usually dealt with informally, without a trial. (Compare felony.)


Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: mis·de·mean·or
Pronunciation: "mis-di-'mE-n&r
Function: noun
: a crime that carries a less severe punishment than a felony; specifically : a crime punishable by a fine and by a term of imprisonment not to be served in a penitentiary and not to exceed one year —compare FELONY

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Misdemeanor

Mis`de*mean"or\, n. 1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. --Shak.

2. (Law) A crime less than a felony. --Wharton.

Note: As a rule, in the old English law, offenses capitally punishable were felonies; all other indictable offenses were misdemeanors. In common usage, the word crime is employed to denote the offenses of a deeper and more atrocious dye, while small faults and omissions of less consequence are comprised under the gentler name of misdemeanors. --Blackstone. The distinction, however, between felonies and misdemeanors is purely arbitrary, and is in most jurisdictions either abrogated or so far reduced as to be without practical value. Cf. Felony. --Wharton.

Syn: Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass; transgression.

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