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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Misdemeanor \Mis`de*mean"or\, n.
1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. --Shak.
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2. (Law) A crime less than a felony. --Wharton.
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Note: As a rule, in the old English law, offenses capitally
punishable were felonies; all other indictable offenses
were misdemeanors. In common usage, the word crime is
employed to denote the offenses of a deeper and more
atrocious dye, while small faults and omissions of less
consequence are comprised under the gentler name of
misdemeanors. --Blackstone.
The distinction, however, between felonies and
misdemeanors is purely arbitrary, and is in most
jurisdictions either abrogated or so far reduced as to
be without practical value. Cf. {Felony}. --Wharton.
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Syn: Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass;
transgression.
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