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felony definition

felo·ny (fel′ə nē)

noun pl. felonies -·nies

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

Etymology: ME felonie < OFr < ML felonia, treason, treachery < felo, felon

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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