criminal

crim‧i‧nal 1 S3 W2 / krɪmən ə l, krɪmɪn ə l / 形容词

1 relating to crime :

Experts cannot agree on the causes of criminal behaviour .

I was sure he was involved in some kind of criminal activity .

She has not committed a criminal offence (= a crime ) .

He was arrested and charged with criminal damage (= damaging someone’s property illegally ) .

The doctor was found guilty of criminal negligence (= not taking enough care to protect people you are responsible for ) .

2 relating to the part of the legal system that is concerned with crime → civil :

The case will be tried in a criminal court .

We have no faith in the criminal justice system .

The police are investigating the matter, and he may face criminal charges (= be officially accused of a crime ) .

She usually deals with serious criminal cases .

a criminal lawyer

3 wrong, dishonest, and unacceptable 同义词 wicked :

It seems criminal that teachers are paid so little money.

— criminally 副词 :

a hospital for the criminally insane

— criminality / krɪmənæləti, krɪmɪnæləti / 名词 [不可数名词]

COLLOCATIONS

名词

criminal activity There was no evidence of any criminal activity.

a criminal offence/act (= a crime ) Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence.

criminal behaviour Is it possible that the tendency to criminal behaviour is inherited?

criminal wrongdoing American English (= actions that are illegal ) The investigation cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.

criminal damage British English (= damaging someone’s property illegally ) He was charged with criminal damage to his boss’s car.

criminal negligence (= not taking enough care to protect people you are responsible for ) Charges of criminal negligence were brought against senior staff.

a criminal investigation (= when a possible crime is investigated ) The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into the bombing.

COLLOCATIONS

名词

the criminal justice system How effective is our criminal justice system?

criminal law I’m more interested in criminal law than civil law.

a criminal charge (= an official accusation that someone has committed a crime ) He’s been arrested on a very serious criminal charge.

a criminal record (= a record, kept by the police, of the crimes someone has committed ) It can be hard for someone with a criminal record to find work.

a criminal case The crown court usually deals with criminal cases.

a criminal trial His year-long criminal trial ended in October.

criminal proceedings (= actions to deal with criminals, such as charging people with crimes or bringing them to trial ) Criminal proceedings have been started against the officers connected with the events.

a criminal court The trial will take place in an international criminal court.

a criminal lawyer (= who deals with criminal cases )