Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - crime

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ~n accusation, reproach, ~; probably akin to Latin cernere to sift, determine  Date: 14th century  1. an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law; especially a gross violation of law  2. a grave offense especially against morality  3. criminal activity efforts to fight ~  4. something reprehensible, foolish, or disgraceful it's a ~ to waste good food  Synonyms: see offense  • ~less adjective