felony

[fel-uh-nee]

noun

Law.

plural

felonies 

1. an offense, as murder or burglary, of graver character than those called misdemeanors, especially those commonly punished in the U.S. by imprisonment for more than a year.

2. Early English Law.,  any crime punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of lands and goods.

felony

/ ˈfɛlənɪ /

noun

1. (formerly) a serious crime, such as murder or arson. All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour were abolished in England and Wales in 1967

felony

1. A grave crime, such as murder, rape, or burglary, that is punishable by death (see capital offense) or imprisonment in a state or federal facility.

Word History and Origins

Origin of felony¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English felonie, from Anglo-French, Old French: “villainy”; equivalent to felon ¹ + -y ³

Example Sentences

Lawrence Reed who was arrested for the crime had 72 prior arrests that include eight felony convictions and seven misdemeanours, according to the White House.

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After his arrest, prosecutors said they originally planned to charge Huerta with a federal felony offense of conspiracy to impede an officer, which can carry a maximum six-year sentence.

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A judge in Santa Barbara County Superior Court has dismissed a felony false imprisonment charge against Ashlee Buzzard, the county district attorney said in a statement.

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The 44-year-old woman was charged with two counts each of murder and felony child endangerment in the deaths of her son, 12, and daughter, 13.

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Beverley, 37, is being charged with the third-degree felony of assault family/household member impeding breath and could face two to 10 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

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Related Words

• arson 
• assault 
• burglary 
• murder 
• offense 
• rape 
• robbery 
• violation 
• wrongdoing