Crim"i*nal , n. One who has
commited a crime; especially, one who is found
guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon.
Crim"i*nal (kr?m"?-nal),
a. [L.
criminalis, fr. crimen: cf. F.
criminel. See Crime.]
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.
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