PoliticsJuly 10, 2026
misdemeanor
ˌmɪsdɪˈmiːnər
Definition
A minor criminal offense, less serious than a felony, that is punishable by a limited jail sentence or fines.
Etymology
The word comes from the Middle English 'misdemean' (to conduct oneself badly), formed by the prefix 'mis-' (wrongly) and 'demean' (to conduct or behave). It evolved from describing general bad behavior into a specific legal term for a minor crime.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the criminal penalty for operating an unauthorized voter registration website under the new Kansas law. This highlights the severity of the legal consequences for failing to comply with the state's specific registration requirements.
ACLU alleges new Kansas election statute violates federal voting rights laws
Read the full article ↗KCUR