English Explanatory Dictionary

felony

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A serious criminal offense, which, under United States federal law, is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or by the death penalty in the most serious offenses.

Pronunciation

fĕ'lə-nē /ˈfɛləni/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-felony.wav En-us-felony.oga

Word forms

felony felonies fellonie

Etymology

From Middle English felony, felonie, from Old French felonie (“evil, immoral deed”), from felon (“evildoer”). Ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. More at felon. By surface analysis, felon + -y.

Related words

felon felonious felonize misdemeanor

Derived words

composition of a felony felony murder felony murder rule felony stop felony traffic stop nonfelony subfelony telefelony
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