The Collaborative International Dictionary
Criminal \Crim"i*nal\ (kr?m"?-nal), a. [L. criminalis, fr. crimen: cf. F. criminel. See Crime.]
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Guilty of crime or sin.
The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of God.
--Rogers. -
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.
--Addison. -
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.
--Hallam.Criminal action (Law), an action or suit instituted to secure conviction and punishment for a crime.
Criminal conversation (Law), unlawful intercourse with a married woman; adultery; -- usually abbreviated, crim. con.
Criminal law, the law which relates to crimes.
Usage examples of "criminal action".
It is needless to observe, that the tutor often gave security, and always rendered an account, and that the want of diligence or integrity exposed him to a civil and almost criminal action for the violation of his sacred trust.
In the name of a great province, and according to the forms of Roman jurisprudence, they instituted a civil and criminal action, requiring such restitution as might compensate the losses of individuals, and such punishment as might satisfy the justice of the state.
But it is my experience that rejecting the innocent explanations out of hand is as unwise as refusing to consider the possibility of criminal action.
What she worried about was the gun being in ignorant hands, or used in some criminal action.
If you wish to pursue that inquiry in a criminal action, you have your right to do so.
They do not become criminal, but when they are annexed to a criminal action: everything is confounded if words are construed into a capital crime, instead of considering them only as a mark of that crime.
What you're going to get, unless I can do some fast and sweet talking, is sued and very possibly charged in a criminal action.
Touching someone without a specific invite was grounds for criminal action.
I know why you burgled the Ferengi's ship, and under the circumstances, I'm inclined to dismiss the charge as an example of initiative, rather than criminal action.