Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Criminal \Crim"i*nal\ (kr?m"?-nal), a. [L. criminalis, fr.
crimen: cf. F. criminel. See {Crime}.]
1. Guilty of crime or sin.
The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us
criminal in the sight of God. --Rogers.
2. Involving a crime; of the nature of a crime; -- said of an
act or of conduct; as, criminal carelessness.
Foppish and fantastic ornaments are only indications
of vice, not criminal in themselves. --Addison.
3. Relating to crime; -- opposed to civil; as, the criminal
code.
The officers and servants of the crown, violating
the personal liberty, or other right of the subject
. . . were in some cases liable to criminal process.
--Hallam.
{Criminal action} (Law), an action or suit instituted to
secure conviction and punishment for a crime.
{Criminal conversation} (Law), unlawful intercourse with a
married woman; adultery; -- usually abbreviated, crim.
con.
{Criminal law}, the law which relates to crimes.