crimes

nounoffense against the law

Word Origin & History

mid-13c., "sinfulness," from Old French crimne (12c., Modern French crime), from Latin crimen (genitive criminis) "charge, indictment, accusation; crime, fault, offense," perhaps from cernere "to decide, to sift" (see crisis). But Klein (citing Brugmann) rejects this and suggests *cri-men, which originally would have been "cry of distress" (Tucker also suggests a root in "cry" words and refers to English plaint, plaintiff, etc.). Meaning "offense punishable by law" is from late 14c. The Latin word is glossed in Old English by facen, also "deceit, fraud, treachery." Crime wave first attested 1893, American English.

Example Sentences for crimes

They say that he hath the strength of six; and, certes, he hath the crimes of six upon his soul.

These chaps seemed to value a man by the enormity and number of his crimes.

Was that one of the crimes denounced to the Congregation of the Index?

What crimes had the honest ghost committed in his days of nature?

I suppose it isn't half so much a crime--as it is a--penalty--for the crimes that bring it on.

That was evidently the crime of crimes, the one offence there was no condoning nor overlooking.

When it is complicated by fraud or other crimes, it is the latter only which are concerned.

You have caused misery to our mother and her children by your crimes.

Torquemada could not have done better; but Khalid, it is hoped, will yet atone for his crimes.

Two crimes have been committed: we wish to seize the assassin.

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Synonyms for crimes

noun offense against the law

crimes

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