crim-, crimino-

1. An illegal act for which a person can be legally punished by local and national governments: "As far as most citizens were concerned, the punishment of eight years and 100 lashes for the father who beat his daughter to death in an Arab country didn't fit the crime."
2. Behavior which is considered to be foolish or unacceptable: "It is believed by most people to be a crime to let food go to waste."

"When asked why he had never married; Erin, who was 40, said, that being single was not a crime."

3. Etymological or historical background: Crime is one of a wide range of English words which come ultimately from or are related to the Greek verb krinein, "to decide". This was a relative of Latin cernere, "to decide", from whose root evolved the noun crimen, "judgment, accusation, illegal act".

This passed via Old French crimne (later crime) into English, where traces of the original meaning "accusation" survived until the 17th century.

Anyone who has been tricked, swindled, robbed, or harmed by another person: "A crime victim is someone who is identified as being a person who has suffered as a result of a perpetrator; such as, a robber, a counterfeiter, a physical attacker, etc."

A person who has committed something dishonest or illegal, and who has been proven guilty of such actions by a court: "The brothers were convicted of robbing at least two banks before they were apprehended by the police."

1. Relating to being involved in an illegal activity or activities: "The psychologists were understand how the criminal mind functions."

"The captain of the wrecked cruise ship has been accused of criminal negligence."

2. A reference to laws which describe crimes instead of those legal acts about a person's rights: "The local criminal justice-system has been accused of mishandling the charges brought against the mayor of the city."
3. Morally wrong: "Many are convinced that it is criminal that congress and the president are doing nothing to stop the shut down of the government!"

The application of the study of humanity regarding the possible identifications of the physical and psychological characteristics and reasons for illegal activities: The federal agents were focused on using criminal anthropology in order to find out why some cities have so many criminal acts in certain districts or neighborhoods.

1. The study of illegal acts for which anyone can be punished by a government; usually, after a judicial judgement has been made: "The law students were assigned by the professor of criminology to do research to determine if the punishment of certain convicted criminals was adequate or too excessive."
2. Research and understanding of the various aspects of dishonest activities by people and a better comprehension of law enforcement techniques: "Criminology involves multitudes of researches into social environments, kinds of investigations, detections, apprehensions, preventions, resulting punishments for criminal behaviors, etc."

A decrease or reduction in the status of certain things being so harshly illegal: "There are some people who want to have a decriminalization of victimless crimes which don't harm other people; such as, private gambling."

To reduce or to remove the illegitimate status of certain actions: "There have been many controversial arguments about decriminalizing doctor-assisted suicides; especially, since there are people who are suffering so much and really want to depart from this world."

1. To treat one person or group worse than others or better than others; usually, because of a prejudice about race, ethnic group, age group, religion, or gender.
2. To pay attention to subtle differences and exercise judgment and taste accordingly.

1. Referring to the ability to identify subtle or very small differences and having an appreciation for good quality or taste.
2. Used to describe tariffs that are set at different rates for different importers.