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Guilt - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Guilt : \Guilt\ (g[i^]lt), n. [OE. gilt, gult, AS. gylt, crime;
probably originally signifying, the fine or mulct paid for an
offence, and afterward the offense itself, and akin to AS.
gieldan to pay, E. yield. See Yield, v. t.]
1. The criminality and consequent exposure to punishment
resulting from willful disobedience of law, or from
morally wrong action; the state of one who has broken a
moral or political law; crime; criminality; offense
against right.
Satan had not answer, but stood struck With guilt of
his own sin. --Milton.
2. Exposure to any legal penalty or forfeiture.
A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade.
--Kent.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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GUILT, crim. law. That quality which renders criminal and liable to
punishment; or it is that disposition to violate the law, which has
manifested itself by some act already done. The opposite of innocence. Vide
Rutherf. Inst. B. 1, c. 18, s. 10.
2. In general everyone is presumed innocent untilGuilt : has been
proved; but in some cases the presumption of guilt overthrows that of
innocence; as, for example, where a party destroys evidence to which the
opposite party is entitled. The spoliation of papers, material to show the
neutral character of a vessel, furnishes strong presumption against the
neutrality of the ship. 2 Wheat. 227. Vide Spoliation.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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