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misdemeanor |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Misdemeanor \Mis`de*mean"or\, n. 1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. --Shak. 2. (Law) A crime less than a felony. --Wharton. 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. Syn: Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass; transgression. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: misdemeanor n : a crime less serious than a felony [syn: {misdemeanour}, {infraction}, {offence}, {offense}, {violation}, {infringement}] From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]: 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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