/fel"euh nee/ , n. , pl. felonies . Law.
1. an offense, as murder or burglary, of graver character than those called misdemeanors, esp. those commonly punished in the U.S. by imprisonment for more than a year.
2. Early Eng. Law. any crime punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of lands and goods.
[ 1250-1300; ME felonie 1 , -Y 3 ]