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.
Mis*dempt" (?), obs. p. p. of Misdeem. Spenser.