■ noun
1》 an action which constitutes a serious offence against an individual or the state and is punishable by law.
↘such actions collectively: the victims of ~.
2》 informal a shameful or deplorable action or state of affairs.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'sin'): via OFr. from L. ~n 'judgement, offence', based on cernere 'to judge'.