Dictionary mayhemCriminal maiming

noun

mayhem

The crime of seriously maiming another person.

The legal historian explains the old crime of mayhem.

Etymology

mayhemOld Frenchmaiming

The legal noun comes from a French word for maiming. This sense preserves its original concern with seriously disabling or mutilating another person.

More examples

The defendant was charged with mayhem.
The record described an accusation of mayhem.
She compared historical definitions of mayhem.

Forms

mayhem

Similar words

maiming: The injury-causing act rather than its legal classification.
assault: A broader offense that need not cause permanent injury.