Criminal

Part of speech: noun (n.)

One who has commited a crime; especially, one who is found guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

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.