carnal knowledge

noun

car·​nal knowledge
ˈkär-nəl-
: an act of especially illegal sexual intercourse
whoever has carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her willDistrict of Columbia Code Annotated
also : the crime of committing such an act
was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile
see also rape

Note: Carnal knowledge is sometimes an element of the statutory definition of rape in addition to being a separate offense.

Dictionary Entries Near carnal knowledge

Cite this Entry

“Carnal knowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/carnal%20knowledge. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!