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criminel

criminal

noun adjective kree-mee-NEHL Less Common

Origin: Latin criminalis, from crimen (crime, accusation)

Usage Note

criminel functions as both noun and adjective; the feminine is criminelle. As a noun it refers to a person who commits crimes. Droit criminel means 'criminal law'. In informal speech, c'est criminel! can be used hyperbolically to mean 'that's outrageous!'.

Examples

"Le criminel a été arrêté hier soir."

Natural Translation

The criminal was arrested last night.

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