a. and sb. Also 5 crymynalle, -el(l, cryminall, -el, 6–7 criminall. [a. F. criminel (in Ch. de Roland, 11th c.), ad. L. crīmināl-is of or pertaining to crime; f. crīmen CRIME. See -AL.]
A. adj.
1. Of the nature of or involving a crime; more generally, of the nature of a grave offence, wicked.
Criminal conversation (CONVERSATION 3): adultery, in the legal aspect of a trespass against the husband at common law. (Obs. in England since 1857.)
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. xiii. She … a syn committed that was cryminall.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. iii. 16. Pillage … which he had got abroad by purchas criminall.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., III. ii. 90. No Father owning it (which is indeed More criminall in thee, then it).
1759. Johnson, Rasselas, xxix. Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 139. Adultery, or criminal conversation with a man’s wife.
1817. W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 710. A criminal neglect of duty.
1892. F. Pollock, On Torts (ed. 3), 210. Against an adulterer the husband had an action at common law, commonly known as an action of criminal conversation. In form it was generally trespass vi et armis, on the theory that ‘a wife is not, as regards her husband, a free agent or separate person.’… Actions for criminal conversation were abolished in England on the establishment of the Divorce Court in 1857.
2. Relating to crime or its punishment.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, 25. Some causes ben crymynel and somme ben cyuyle.
1590. Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, **ij. Good lawes, civil and criminall.
1686. J. Sergeant, Hist. Monast. Conventions, 146. Having under him two Civil-Lieutenants … and one Lieutenant Criminal, with many Judges.
1745. Fortunate Orphan, 200. She … sent immediately for the Judge Criminal.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., I. xvi. 390. They no longer possessed the administration of criminal justice.
1846. M’Culloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), II. 173. The highest court of criminal judicature known to the laws of England is the House of Lords.
1887. Lowell, Democracy, etc. 29. A cynical cross-examination by an experienced criminal lawyer.
3. Guilty of crime or grave offence.
c. 1489. Caxton, Blanchardyn, xxix. 110. The vntrewe and crymynel tyraunt Alymodes.
1644. Prynne, Moder. Apol., 1. Being … taxed by Master Iames Howell … as criminall of offering him very hard measure.
1726. Adv. Capt. R. Boyle (ed. 2), 362. If criminal Persons were sent over there, they would find Employment.
a. 1729. J. Rogers, 19 Serm., xiii. (1735), 270 (J.). The Neglect of any of these renders us criminal in the Sight of God.
1741. Watts, Improv. Mind, I. iv. § 14. Let us search our hearts … and enquire how far we are criminal.
1851. Hussey, Papal Power, iii. 144. Criminal clerks had not yet … exemption allowed them from all civil tribunals.
† b. Of beasts: Savage, fierce, malignant. Obs.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 86. The most terrible and most crymynel dragon. Ibid. (1481), Myrr., II. vi. K ij. Bestes … so righte stronge & crymynell that no men dare approche them.
B. sb. † 1. A person accused of a crime. Obs.
1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett., 18. The number of Judges is not much inferiour to that of Criminals.
1681. Dryden, Sp. Fryar, V. 75 (J.). Was ever Criminal forbid to plead?
2. A person guilty or convicted of a crime.
a. 1626. Bacon, Wks. (Spedding 1861), XIII. 184 (J.). Ruined … by justice and sentence, as delinquents and criminals.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvii. 157. In the violation of the Law, both the Author, and Actor are Criminalls.
1772. Priestley, Inst. Relig. (1782), II. 53. Take notice of crimes, and punish the criminals.
1883. G. Lloyd, Ebb & Flow, II. 210. Going with the criminal to execution.
