noun
misdemeanor
mis-dih-MEE-ner/ˌmɪsdɪˈminər/
A minor criminal offense.
The shopper's theft of a candy bar is treated as a misdemeanor.
Etymology
The pieces mean 'wrong conduct,' matching the word's general sense of ill behavior or fault. Its legal use, present almost throughout its history, specifies an offense less serious than a felony.
In context
step our way down from a felony burglary down to a misdemeanor burglary and that is burglary of a vehicle
More examples
- She pleads guilty to a misdemeanor.
- Some traffic offenses are misdemeanors.
- A misdemeanor conviction can still lead to jail time.
Forms
misdemeanor · misdemeanors
Similar words
- infraction
- Usually a lesser violation punished by a fine, not jail.
- offense
- Covers legal violations generally, including crimes more serious than misdemeanors.