Criminal /(kr?m"?-nal)/

Crim·i·nal

Criminal

a.
  1. Guilty of crime or sin.
    The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of God.
  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.
  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.

Phrases & Compounds
Criminal action
an action or suit instituted to secure conviction and punishment for a crime.
Criminal conversation
unlawful intercourse with a married woman; adultery; -- usually abbreviated, crim. con.
Criminal law
the law which relates to crimes.

Criminal

n.
  1. One who has commited a crime; especially, one who is found guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon.