Found 2 items, similar to misdemeanor.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: misdemeanor misdemeanor n : a crime less serious than a felony [syn: misdemeanour, infraction, offence, offense, violation, infringement]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Misdemeanor Misdemeanor \Mis`de*mean"or\, n. 1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. (Law) A crime less than a felony. --Wharton. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Syn: Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass; transgression. [1913 Webster]