criminal

*-men- (Proto-Indo-European)

*krey- (Proto-Indo-European)

cerno (Latin)

I decide. I distinguish, discern, see. I perceive. I separate, sift.

*kreimen (Proto-Italic)

crimen (Latin)

(in respect to the accused) The fault one is accused of; crime, misdeed, offence, fault.. (in respect to the accuser) A charge, accusation, reproach; calumny, slander.. A cause of a crime; criminal.. A judicial decision, verdict, or judgment.. An object of reproach, invective.. An object representing a crime.. The crime of lewdness; adultery.

criminalis (Late Latin)

criminal (Anglo-Norman)

criminal (English)

(figuratively) Abhorrent or very undesirable, even if allowed by law.. Being against the law; forbidden by law.. Guilty of breaking the law.. Of or relating to crime or penal law. A person who is guilty of a crime, notably breaking the law.