a major crime, as murder, arson, or rape, for which statute usually provides a greater punishment than for a misdemeanor: the usual minimum penalty is imprisonment for one year
See felony in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(fĕlˈə-nē)
nounpl.fel·o·nies Law
One of several grave crimes, such as murder, rape, or burglary, punishable by a more stringent sentence than that given for a misdemeanor.
Any of several crimes in early English law that were punishable by forfeiture of land or goods and by possible loss of life or a bodily part.