Antifelon

/ˌæntiˈfɛlən/ adjective

Definition

Opposed to or designed to prevent criminal felony activity; working against serious crimes and criminals.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + felon (from Old French felon, originally meaning cruel or wicked). The term is primarily used in law enforcement contexts.

Kelly Says

Interestingly, 'felon' originally had a more general meaning of 'wicked person' but gradually became specifically tied to serious crimes, so antifelon campaigns throughout history have sometimes targeted behaviors that we'd now consider minor offenses, showing how our definitions of serious crime shift dramatically over time.

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