felony
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom Middle English felony, felonie, from Old French felonie (“evil, immoral deed”), from felon (“evildoer”). Ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. More at felon.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editfelony (plural felonies)
- (law, criminology, US, historical in UK) A serious criminal offense, which, under United States federal law, is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or by the death penalty in the most serious offenses.
- Coordinate term: misdemeanor
- 2024 May 30, The Editorial Board, “Donald Trump, Felon”, in The New York Times[1], →ISSN:
- Many experts have also expressed skepticism about the significance of this case and its legal underpinnings, which employed an unusual legal theory to seek a felony charge for what is more commonly a misdemeanor, and Mr. Trump will undoubtedly seek an appeal.
Derived terms
editRelated terms
editTranslations
edita serious criminal offense
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See also
edit- misdemeanor (less serious crime)
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