misdemeanor

Noun
Synonyms: misdemeanourinfractionviolationinfringement

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a crime less serious than a felonySynonyms: misdemeanourinfractionviolationinfringement
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]

The Devil's Dictionary

MISDEMEANOR, n. An infraction of the law having less dignity than a felony and constituting no claim to admittance into the best criminal society.

By misdemeanors he essays to climb Into the aristocracy of crime. O, woe was him! -- with manner chill and grand "Captains of industry" refused his hand, "Kings of finance" denied him recognition And "railway magnates" jeered his low condition. He robbed a bank to make himself respected. They still rebuffed him, for he was detected. S.V. Hanipur

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