Misdemeanor Definition
mĭsdĭ-mēnər
misdemeanors
noun
misdemeanors
The act or an instance of misbehaving; minor transgression.
Webster's New World
A misdeed.
American Heritage
Any minor offense, as the breaking of a municipal ordinance, for which statute provides a lesser punishment than for a felony: the penalty is usually a fine or imprisonment for a short time (usually less than one year) in a local jail, workhouse, etc.
Webster's New World
A crime considered to be less serious than a felony, and that receives a lesser punishment (typically a sentence of one year or less).
Webster's New World Law
Other Word Forms of Misdemeanor
Noun
Singular:
misdemeanor
Plural:
misdemeanorsOrigin of Misdemeanor
Mis (prefix) against, opposing and 'demeanor'. See 'demeanor' for further explanation.
From Wiktionary
-
mis- +"Ž demeanor
From Wiktionary
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