MISDEMEANOR

misdemeanor, misdemeanour, infraction, violation, infringement

(noun) a crime less serious than a felony

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

misdemeanor (plural misdemeanors) (American spelling)

(legal, US) A crime usually punishable upon conviction by a small fine or by a short term of imprisonment. In the USA, misdemeanants usually are incarcerated in county jail for less than one year, but felons usually are incarcerated in state or federal prison for more than one year. Crimes which are punishable by large fines or by longer imprisonment are sometimes called felonies.

Synonyms

• petty crime

Source: Wiktionary

Mis`de*mean"or, n.

1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. Shak.

2. (Law)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition