misdemeanor

Meanings

• noun

  A relatively minor offense, especially one for which punishment is by fine or by imprisonment for a short term.

  - "He was charged with a misdemeanor and received a fine."
  - "She was arrested for shoplifting, which is considered a misdemeanor in most states."

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Synonyms

petty crime

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with misdemeanor
misconstrue , misconstruct , misconceive , misconduit

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Variants

List of all variants of misdemeanor that leads to same result
misdemeanor , misdemeanors , misdemeanour , misdemeanours

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Misdemeanor comes from the Middle English term 'misdemen', meaning 'to deal unjustly'. It evolved from the Old French term 'mal faire', which means 'to do wrong'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. In some jurisdictions, a first misdemeanor offense may be eligible for expungement, meaning the record of the offense can be sealed or destroyed.

2. The term 'misdemeanor' is often used interchangeably with 'petty offense' or 'summary offense'.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. felony: A more serious crime than a misdemeanor, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than a year.

2. infraction: A violation of a law or rule, often used interchangeably with misdemeanor but generally refers to a less serious offense.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, misdemeanors are often depicted as minor infractions that can lead to larger consequences. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan's misdemeanor of hitting Myrtle Wilson leads to a chain reaction of events that ultimately result in tragedy.

How to Memorize "misdemeanor"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person being charged with a misdemeanor in a courtroom. Imagine the judge handing down a fine or a short prison sentence.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word with the idea of a minor offense or a violation of a rule.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Minor Offense, Infraction Not' to remember that a misdemeanor is a minor offense and not a felony.

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