CRIME

[noun] - an action which is against the law, or, more generally, (an example of) bad or unacceptable behavioura crime against humanity/the people/property [C]a life of crime [U]rising crime [U]crime prevention [U]He has admitted committing several crimes, including two murders. [C]The defendant is accused of/charged with a range of crimes, from theft to murder. [C]A knife was found at the scene of the crime. [C]Petty (= Unimportant) crime is common in this area, but fortunately there isn't much serious crime (= very violent crime or the stealing of things of great value). [U]Life imprisonment is reserved for the most heinous (= very serious) crimes. [C]To have hundreds of homeless people sleeping in the streets of a city like London is a crime (= an immoral situation). [U](informal) It would be a crime (= a waste) to spend such a beautiful day inside - let's go for a long walk somewhere. [U + to infinitive]A crime of passion is a crime committed because of very strong emotional feelings, esp. in connection with a sexual relationship.A crime wave is a sudden increase in the amount of illegal activity.A crime writer is someone who writes stories about esp. murders where the main character tries to solve the mystery of who committed the crime.Sarah Peretsky is one of the best crime writers of her generation.(saying) 'Crime doesn't pay' means that criminals almost always receive punishment in the end.