felony
UK: ˈfɛləni | US: ˈfɛləni
n. a serious crime, typically involving violence or dishonesty, punishable by imprisonment or stricter penalties.
felony = felon<wicked person> + y<noun suffix>
- felon (from Old French felon, meaning "wicked, evil," possibly of Germanic origin, related to fill "to defile")
- -y (noun-forming suffix indicating state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word "felony" traces back to medieval legal systems, where it described acts of extreme moral or legal wrongdoing. The root felon originally referred to a person guilty of treachery or cruelty, reflecting societal views on severe crimes. Over time, the suffix -y generalized the term to denote the category of such offenses. The concept evolved alongside English common law to define grave crimes distinct from misdemeanors.
Murder is classified as a felony in most jurisdictions.
The suspect was charged with felony theft for stealing the car.
Committing a felony can result in the loss of voting rights.
She faced a felony conviction for embezzling company funds.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the felony offense.