crim·i·nal (krĭm'ə-nəl)
adj.

1. Of, involving, or having the nature of crime: criminal abuse.
2. Relating to the administration of penal law.
3. 1. Guilty of crime.
   2. Characteristic of a criminal.
4. Shameful; disgraceful: a criminal waste of talent.

n.
One that has committed or been legally convicted of a crime.

[Middle English, from Old French criminel, from Late Latin crīminālis, from Latin crīmen, crīmin-, accusation. See crime.]

criminally crim'i·nal·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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