Crime
An act or event that violates the rights of others โ defined by law, which is defined by some of those others.
How We Say It
krฤซm
Where It Comes From
Latin crimen โ accusation, fault, offense. From cernere โ to decide, to judge. The word carries its judicial origin โ crime is not just an act but an act decided to be criminal by a legal process.
How It's Been Used
Defined by statute, which is defined by legislatures, which are shaped by power. What counts as crime shifts with political pressure. The same act โ marijuana possession, insider trading, civil disobedience โ moves in and out of criminality depending on era and who is doing it.