crimes
English meaning: Crimes
Definition
A specific act committed in violation of the law.
Example
“He was charged with a series of crimes including theft and fraud.”
Another example: “The tribunal was set up to prosecute crimes against humanity.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Plural of 'crime': acts punishable by law. Neutral register; common in news and law. Note fixed phrases 'crimes against humanity', 'war crimes', 'hate crimes'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'crime', from Latin 'crimen' (charge, offence, fault); in English from the 14th century.
Synonyms
- offences
- felonies
- misdeeds
- violations
- wrongdoings
Related Words
Common Collocations
- commit crimes
- violent crimes
- war crimes
- crimes against humanity
- petty crimes
- hate crimes
Word Forms
crime (sing.); crimes (pl); criminal (adj/n); criminalize (v)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B