κακουργήματά
Wordform Details
Translation: felonycrimemisdeed
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
neuterpluralaccusativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: κακούργημα
Translation: felony; serious crime; major offense (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek 'κακουργία' (kakourgía, 'evil-doing, villainy'), which comes from 'κακός' (kakós, 'bad, evil') + 'ἔργον' (érgon, 'work, deed'). The word literally means 'evil deed' or 'bad work'. The English word 'cacophony' shares the same root 'κακός' (bad), while words like 'energy' and 'ergonomics' share the root 'ἔργον' (work).
Example Usage
Κατηγορείται για κακούργημα και αντιμετωπίζει ποινή φυλάκισης.
He is charged with a felony and faces imprisonment.
Η ληστεία τράπεζας θεωρείται κακούργημα στην Ελλάδα.
Bank robbery is considered a felony in Greece.
Το δικαστήριο μετέτρεψε το κακούργημα σε πλημμέλημα.
The court reduced the felony to a misdemeanor.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'kako' (bad) + 'urgima' (work/deed) = 'bad deed' or serious crime
- Connect it to 'cacophony' (bad sound) to remember the 'kako' part means 'bad'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In the Greek legal system, crimes are classified as either 'κακουργήματα' (felonies) or 'πλημμελήματα' (misdemeanors). Felonies are the most serious crimes and typically carry prison sentences of five years or more. The term appears frequently in news reports about serious crimes and in legal contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'κακούργημα' refers to a felony (serious crime), 'πλημμέλημα' refers to a misdemeanor (less serious crime). They represent different levels of criminal offenses in the Greek legal system.
Confused word:
Το πλημμέλημα τιμωρείται με μικρότερη ποινή φυλάκισης.
The misdemeanor is punishable by a shorter prison sentence.
Notes: In Greek legal terminology, 'κακουργήματα' (felonies) typically carry sentences of 5+ years, while 'πλημμελήματα' (misdemeanors) carry lighter sentences.
Mnemonic: Remember: 'κακούργημα' contains 'κακό' (bad), suggesting something worse than a 'πλημμέλημα'.
Explanation: 'Κακούργημα' is a felony (most serious), while 'πταίσμα' is a petty offense or infraction (least serious).
Notes: The Greek legal system has three main categories of offenses in descending order of severity: κακουργήματα (felonies), πλημμελήματα (misdemeanors), and πταίσματα (petty offenses).
Mnemonic: Think of the severity scale: κακούργημα (major) > πλημμέλημα (medium) > πταίσμα (minor).