Main Entry: crime

Pronunciation: \ˈkrīm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin crimen accusation, reproach, crime; probably akin to Latin cernere to sift, determine

Date: 14th century

1 : an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law; especially : a gross violation of law
2 : a grave offense especially against morality
3 : criminal activity <efforts to fight crime>
4 : something reprehensible, foolish, or disgraceful <it's a crime to waste good food>

synonyms see offense

— crime·less \-ləs\ adjective