Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Criminal \Crim"i*nal\, n.
One who has commited a crime; especially, one who is found
guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a
felon.
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.
Source : WordNet®
criminal
adj 1: relating to crime or its punishment; "criminal court"
2: bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure; "a criminal
waste of talent"; "a deplorable act of violence";
"adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife"
[syn: {condemnable}, {deplorable}, {reprehensible}]
3: guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight
of God and man"
4: involving or being or having the nature of a crime; "a
criminal offense"; "criminal abuse"; "felonious intent"
[syn: {felonious}]
criminal
n : someone who has committed (or been legally convicted of) a
crime [syn: {felon}, {crook}, {outlaw}, {malefactor}]