Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Guilt
Guilt
(gĭlt)
, Noun.
[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
, Verb.
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
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Guilt
GUILT
,Noun.
1.
Criminality; that state of a moral agent which results from his actual commission of a crime or offense, knowing it to be a crime, or violation of law. To constitute guilt there must be a moral agent enjoying freedom of will, and capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, and a wilful or intentional violation of a known law, or rule of duty. The guilt of a person exists, as soon as the crime is committed; but to evince it to others, it must be proved by confession, or conviction in due course of law. Guilt renders a person a debtor to the law, as it binds him to pay a penalty in money or suffering. Guilt therefore implies both criminality and liableness to punishment. Guilt may proceed either from a positive act or breach of law, or from voluntary neglect of known duty.2.
Criminality in a political or civil view; exposure to forfeiture or other penalty. A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade.
3.
Crime; offense.