crime

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An act that breaks the law and can be punished.

   Stealing a car is a serious crime.

2. 2
   noun

   Illegal activity in general.

   The police are working hard to reduce crime in the city.

3. 3
   noun

   Something that seems very wrong or shameful, even if it is not against the law.

   It's a crime to throw away so much good food.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Crime came into Middle English through Old French from Latin crimen, meaning “judgement” or “offence.” Crimen was based on Latin cernere, “to judge”; the earliest English senses included “wickedness” and “sin.”

From Middle English cryme, crime, from Old French crime, crimne, from Latin crīmen. Displaced native Old English firen.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary