actus reus
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actus reus
(ˈæktəs ˈreɪəs)n
(Law) law a criminal action regarded as a constituent element of a crime, as compared with the state of mind of the perpetrator. Compare mens rea
[Latin, literally: guilty act]
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Noun | 1. | actus reus - activity that transgresses moral or civil law; "he denied any wrongdoing" activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" brutalisation, brutalization - the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously usurpation, encroachment, trespass, violation, intrusion - entry to another's property without right or permission civil wrong, tort - (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought malversation - misconduct in public office dereliction - willful negligence malfeasance - wrongful conduct by a public official misfeasance - doing a proper act in a wrongful or injurious manner malpractice - a wrongful act that the actor had no right to do; improper professional conduct; "he charged them with electoral malpractices" malpractice - professional wrongdoing that results in injury or damage; "the widow sued his surgeon for malpractice" perversion - the action of perverting something (turning it to a wrong use); "it was a perversion of justice" injury - wrongdoing that violates another's rights and is unjustly inflicted injury - an act that causes someone or something to receive physical damage infliction - an act causing pain or damage evildoing, transgression - the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle; "the boy was punished for the transgressions of his father" knavery, dishonesty - lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing falsification, misrepresentation - a willful perversion of facts champerty - an unethical agreement between an attorney and client that the attorney would sue and pay the costs of the client's suit in return for a portion of the damages awarded; "soliciting personal injury cases may constitute champerty" criminal maintenance, maintenance - the unauthorized interference in a legal action by a person having no interest in it (as by helping one party with money or otherwise to continue the action) so as to obstruct justice or promote unnecessary litigation or unsettle the peace of the community; "unlike champerty, criminal maintenance does not necessarily involve personal profit" infringement, violation - an act that disregards an agreement or a right; "he claimed a violation of his rights under the Fifth Amendment" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.