malefactor

Pronunciation: /ˈmæləˌfæktɚ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

Etymology

From Middle English malefactour, from Late Latin malefactor, from Latin malefaciō, from male (“evilly”) + factus (“made or done”), past participle of facio (“to make or do”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

criminal, felon, crook, outlaw

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
principal
Narrower (hyponyms)
kidnapper, arsonist, traitor, bootlegger, highbinder, gangster

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