crime

Definitions

From Latin crīmen, originally 'a charge, an accusation,' itself from cernere 'to sift, judge.' A crime is literally 'the thing you are accused of' — the meaning shifted from the formal charge to the offense being charged.

Why It Means This

Crime didn't start out meaning 'a bad act.' Latin crīmen meant the accusation itself — the charge a court would sift and weigh. Over time the focus moved from the accusation to the deed behind it, which is why 'judgment' sits hidden inside the word.

Common Collocations

• 1.commit a crime犯罪
• 2.fight crime打击犯罪
• 3.violent crime暴力犯罪
• 4.petty crime轻罪
• 5.scene of the crime犯罪现场

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Theft and fraud are both serious crimes.

• 2.

  The city has seen a sharp rise in violent crime this year.

Easily Confused

crime vs sin vs offense — crime breaks the law of the state (punishable by courts). sin breaks a moral or religious rule (punishable by God/conscience). offense is the broadest and softest: any breach of a rule, from a parking offense to giving offense.

Synonym Comparison