capital offense

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Explanation of "Capital Offense"

Definition: A "capital offense" is a very serious crime that can lead to the death penalty if someone is found guilty. This means that the law considers the crime so serious that the highest punishment is death.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: It is a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea).
• Context: You would typically use this term in discussions about law, crime, or justice.

Example:

• "Murder is often considered a capital offense in many countries."

Advanced Usage:

In legal discussions, you might see "capital offense" used in relation to specific laws or cases. For example: - "The defendant was charged with a capital offense, which required a special trial process."

Word Variants:

• Capital Punishment: This refers to the death penalty itself, the punishment that can be given for a capital offense.
• Capital Crime: This term can be used interchangeably with "capital offense."

Different Meanings:

In a general context, "capital" can also refer to: - Capital (noun): Wealth or resources owned by a person or organization (e.g., financial capital). - Capital (adjective): Referring to a city that serves as the seat of government (e.g., the capital city).

Synonyms:

• Death penalty crime
• Death-eligible crime
• Serious crime

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically for "capital offense," here are some related terms: - "Face the music": This means to confront the consequences of one's actions, which could apply to someone facing a capital offense. - "Pay the ultimate price": This phrase can refer to facing death as a consequence of a serious crime.

Summary:

A "capital offense" is a serious crime that can lead to the death penalty. It is used in legal contexts and is associated with severe consequences.

Academic

Noun

1. a crime so serious that capital punishment is considered appropriate