What Is Crime? Definition And Usage Of This Term
WHAT IS CRIME – In this topic, we will first know the definition of this term and how is this term used in sentences.
Definition
The Oxford Dictionary described this term as the following:
- an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
- illegal activities.
- an action or activity that, although not illegal, is considered to be evil, shameful, or wrong.
On the other hand, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines this term as the following:
- an illegal act for which someone can be punished by the government
- a gross violation of law
- a grave offense especially against morality
- criminal activity
- something reprehensible or disgraceful
Synonyms
Here are the following synonyms of the term:
- offense
- unlawful act
- illegal act
- misdemeanor
- misdeed
- lawbreaking
- delinquency
- wrongdoing
- transgression
- misconduct
- immoral act
- sin
- evil
- evil action
- wrong
Etymology
It is a Middle English term which is derived from the Latin term crimen ‘judgement, offense’ which is derived from cernere or ‘to judge’.
Examples
Here are some of the examples:
- Carry this cat away to prison, and keep her in safe confinement until she is tried by law for the crime of murder.
- New local acquaintances never questioned us about work and we displayed no interest in anything pertaining to crime or mayhem.
- The chitchat roamed from details of Friday’s luncheon to views on crime and punishment, which, as the booze went down, became more and more general.
- There is no step, no crime or petty fraud he commits, which in the mouths of those around him is not at once represented as a great deed.
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