\Mis`de*mean"or\, n.
1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. --Shak.

2. (Law) A crime less than a felony. --Wharton.

Note: As a rule, in the old English law, offenses capitally
      punishable were felonies; all other indictable offenses
      were misdemeanors. In common usage, the word crime is
      employed to denote the offenses of a deeper and more
      atrocious dye, while small faults and omissions of less
      consequence are comprised under the gentler name of
      misdemeanors. --Blackstone. The distinction, however,
      between felonies and misdemeanors is purely arbitrary,
      and is in most jurisdictions either abrogated or so far
      reduced as to be without practical value. Cf. {Felony}.
      --Wharton.

Syn: Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass;
     transgression.