Definition of: criminal

(krim′ə·nə1) adjective
1. Law Relating to crime, or pertaining to the administration of penal as opposed to civil law.
2. Implying crime or heinous wickedness.
3. Guilty of crime: the criminal classes.
—noun One who has committed an offense punishable by law. [<F criminel <L criminalis]
—crim·i·nal·i·ty (krim′ə·nal′ə·tē), crim′i·nal·ness n.
—crim′·i·nal·ly adverb Synonyms (adj.): abominable, culpable, felonious, flagitious, guilty, illegal, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, sinful, unlawful, vicious, vile, wicked, wrong. Every criminal act is illegal or unlawful, but illegal or unlawful acts may not be always criminal. Offenses against public law are criminal, offenses against private rights are illegal or unlawful. All acts punishable by fine or imprisonment or both are criminal in view of the law. It is illegal for a man to trespass on another's land, but it is not criminal; the trespasser is liable to civil suit for damages, but not to indictment, fine, or imprisonment. A felonious act is a criminal act punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary or by death. A flagitious crime is one that brings public odium. Vicious refers to the indulgence of evil appetites, habits, or passions; vicious acts are not necessarily criminal, or even illegal; we speak of a vicious horse. That which is iniquitous, that is, contrary to equity, may sometimes be done under the forms of law. See IMMORAL. Antonyms: innocent, just, lawful, legal, meritorious, moral, right, virtuous.