[OE. had lahbreca of the same meaning.] One who violates the law.
[a. 1050. Liber Scintill., ii. (1889), 9. Þar healdan geþyld we na scylan ac wiðstandan þam lahbrecan.]
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 289/2. Lawe brekare, legirumpus.
c. 1450. Mirour Saluacioun, 3550. Lawbrekers and ydolatrers with bolde visage blamed hee.
1547. Primer, O j. Deliuer me … out of the hande of the … lawe breaker.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., IV. ii. 75. Thou art a Robber, A Law-breaker, a Villaine; yeeld thee Theefe.
1663. Killigrew, Parson’s Wed., V. ii. (1664), 141. That Tongue … which now growes hoarse with flattering the great Law-breakers.
1876. Oxford Bible-Helps, Mountains, It was on Mount Ebal that the cursing of the law-breakers took place.
So Law-breaking vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1767. Sp. agst. Suspending & Disp. Prerogative, in Hansard, Parl. Hist. (1813), XVI. 258. There was no such distinction in the days, when the law-making and the law-breaking prerogative walked forth at noon tide.
1881. Times, 9 April, 11/5. Not that temporal Courts would deal more timidly with clerical law-breaking.
