felony etymology

Etymology

• Middle English: felonie, from Old French: felonie
• Old French: from Latin: fellonia, meaning "wickedness, treachery"
• Latin: from fellōn-, meaning "cruel, savage"

Meaning

A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for a year or more.

Origin

The term "felony" has been used in English law since the 13th century. It originally referred to a wide range of serious crimes, including treason, murder, robbery, and arson. Over time, the definition of felony became more specific, and it eventually came to refer only to the most serious crimes.

In the United States, felonies are defined by federal and state laws. The federal government defines a felony as any crime punishable by more than one year in prison. State laws vary, but most states define a felony as any crime punishable by more than one year in prison or by death.

Felonies are typically divided into two categories: violent felonies and nonviolent felonies. Violent felonies include crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery. Nonviolent felonies include crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, and drug trafficking.

The penalties for a felony conviction can be severe. In addition to imprisonment, felons may also lose their voting rights, their right to own a firearm, and their ability to hold certain jobs.

felony relate terms

• felon

  Etymology The word felon originates from the Old French word felon which ultimately

• fecund

  Etymology and Meaning The word fecund originates from the Latin word fecundus meani

• felonious

  Etymology The word felonious is derived from the Old French felon meaning wicked o

• felony

  Etymology Middle English felonie from Old French felonie Old French from Latin fell

• misdemeanor

  Etymology The word misdemeanor comes from the Old French word mesdemeanour which in

• accessory

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense additional part of a garment from O

• larceny

  Etymology Middle English larcenye Old French larrecin Late Latin latrocinium robbe

• embezzlement

  Etymology embezzle 1590s from Middle French embezzler to steal Middle French embe

• extortion

  Etymology Latin extorquēre to wring out French extorquer to extort Meaning

• graft

  Etymology Middle English grafted from Old French graffer from Latin graphium mean

• crime

  Etymology The word crime originates from the Latin word crimen which means accusat

• offense

  Etymology Old French offense Late Latin offensa from offendere to strike against t

• trespass

  Etymology of Trespass The word trespass originated from the Old French term trespas

• hazard

  Etymology and Meaning of Hazard The word hazard has its roots in the Old French word