An injury; a tort a violation of right. In its most usual sense, wrong signifies an injury committed to the person or property of another, or to his relative rights, unconnected with contract; and these wrongs are committed with or without force. But in a more extended signification, wrong includes the violation of a contract; a failure by a man to perform his undertaking or promise is a wrong or injury to him to whom it was made. 3 Bl. Com. 158. 2. Wrongs are divided into public and private. 1. A public wrong is an act which is injurious to the public generally, commonly known by the name of crime, misdemeanor, or offence, and it is punishable in various ways, such as indictments, summary proceedings, and upon conviction by death, imprisonment, fine 2. Private wrongs, which are injuries to individuals, unaffecting the public: these are redressed by actions for damages.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
An injury; a tort; a violation of right or of law. The idea of rights naturally suggests the correlative one of wrongs; for every right is capable of being violated. A right to receive payment for goods sold (for example) implies a wrong on the part of him who owes, but withholds the price; a right to live in personal security, a wrong on the part of him who commits personal violence. And therefore, while, in a general point of view, the law is intended for the establishment and maintenance of rights, we find it on closer examination, to be dealing both with rights and wrongs. It first fixes the character and definition of rights, and then, with a view to their effectual security, proceeds to define wrongs, and to devise the means by which the latter shall be prevented or redressed. 1 Steph. Comm. 126. Private wrongs. The violation of public or private rights, when considered in reference to the injury sustained by the individual, and consequently as subjects for civil redress or compensator. Real wrong. In old English law. An injury to the freehold.