second degree murder — An unpremeditated killing, resulting from an assault in which death of the victim was a distinct possibility. Second degree murder is different from first degree murder, which is a premeditated, intentional killing; or results from a vicious… … Law dictionary
second-degree — second de gree adj 1.) second degree burns the second most serious form of burns →↑first degree, third degree ↑third degree 2.) second degree murder/assault/burglary etc AmE a crime that is less serious than the most serious type, especially… … Dictionary of contemporary English
second-degree — ► ADJECTIVE 1) Medicine (of burns) that cause blistering but not permanent scars. 2) Law, chiefly N. Amer. (of a crime, especially a murder) less serious than a first degree crime … English terms dictionary
second-degree — adjective 1》 Medicine denoting burns that cause blistering but not permanent scars. 2》 Law, chiefly N. Amer. denoting a category of a crime, especially murder, that is less serious than a first degree crime … English new terms dictionary
degree — de·gree n 1: a step in a direct line of descent or in the line of ascent to a common ancestor 2 a: a measure of the seriousness of a crime see also fifth degree, first degree, f … Law dictionary
degree — [di grē′] n. [ME degre < OFr degré, degree, step, rank < VL * degradus < degradare: see DEGRADE] 1. any of the successive steps or stages in a process or series 2. a step in the direct line of descent [a cousin in the second degree] 3.… … English World dictionary
principal in the second degree — noun Law a person who is present at a crime, giving assistance to the principal in the first degree …
principal in second degree — One present at the commission of a criminal act, lending countenance, aid, encouragement, or other mental assistance, while another commits the act. Red v State, 39 Tex Crim 667, 47 SW 1003. One present at the time a crime is committed, lending… … Ballentine's law dictionary
crime — crimeless, adj. crimelessness, n. /kruym/, n. 1. an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state and that is legally prohibited. 2. criminal activity and those… … Universalium
degree — degreed, adj. degreeless, adj. /di gree /, n. 1. any of a series of steps or stages, as in a process or course of action; a point in any scale. 2. a stage or point in or as if in progression or retrogression: We followed the degrees of her… … Universalium