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crime

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The definition of crime is illegal or immoral activities.

(noun)

When a person steals something or commits murder, this is an example of crime.
Polluting the water, even if it is not illegal to do so, is an example of a crime; a crime against nature.

See crime in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an act committed in violation of a law prohibiting it, or omitted in violation of a law ordering it; often, specif., such an act of a serious nature, as a felony: crimes are variously punishable by death, imprisonment, or the imposition of certain fines or restrictions: the range of crime includes felonies and misdemeanors, but not petty violations of local ordinances
an offense against morality; sin
criminal acts, collectively
Informal something regrettable or deplorable; shame: it's a crime you didn't finish school

Origin: OFr < L crimen, verdict, object of reproach, offense, prob. < IE *(s)krei- (> scream), extension of base *ker-: see raven

See crime in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and for which punishment is imposed upon conviction.
Unlawful activity: statistics relating to violent crime.
A serious offense, especially one in violation of morality.
An unjust, senseless, or disgraceful act or condition: It's a crime to squander our country's natural resources.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin crīmen; see krei- in Indo-European roots

See crime in Ologies

Crime

See also law; punishment; theft.

abetment

the act of abetting or inciting another to commit a crime. —abettor, abetter, n.

bigamy

the condition of having two spouses simultaneously. —bigamist, n. —bigamous, adj.

contrabandism

the practice of smuggling. —contrabandist, n.

corruptionist

a person who practices or advocates corruption, especially in politics or public life.

criminology

the scientific study of crime and criminals. —criminologist, n. —criminologic, criminological, adj.

defalcation

1. unauthorized appropriation of money; embezzlement.

2. the sum embezzled.

depeculation

Obsolete, the act of stealing or embezzling.

disseizin, disseisin

the process of wrongfully or unlawfully dispossessing a person of his rightful real property.

embracery

the crime of attempting to influence or suborn a judge or jury by bribery, threats, etc.

extortionist

a person who practices the crime of extortion or the obtaining of money by threat of violence. Also extortioner.

fugitation

fleeing from justice, as by a criminal.

gangdom

the world of gangs or organized crime.

knavery

petty dishonesty or fraud. —knave, n. —knavish, adj.

malfeasance

wrongdoing or improper or dishonest conduct, especially by a person who holds public office or a position of trust. Cf. misfeasance. —malfeasant, adj.

malversation

fraudulent behavior, extortion, or corruption by a person who holds public office or a position of trust.

mayhem

Law. an intentional crippling, disfigurement, or mutilation of another.

miscreancy

criminal action or behavior; wrong- or evil-doing. —miscreant, n., adj.

misfeasance

a form of wrongdoing, especially the doing of something lawful in an unlawful way so that the rights of others are infringed. Cf. malfeasance. —misfeasor, n.

misprision

improper conduct or neglectful behavior, especially by a person who holds public office.

mouchardism

the practice of being a police spy. —mouchard, n.

peculation

embezzlement.

penitence, penitency

the state or condition of regretting crimes or offenses and being willing to atone for them. —penitent, n., adj.

penology

1. the science of the punishment of crime.

2. the science of the management of prisons. —penologist, n.

polygamy