Definition of Wrong

An injury; a tort; a violation of right or of law. The idea of rights naturally suggests the correlative one of wrongs j 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 bv 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 subjecte for civil redress or compensatcm. 3 Steph. Comm. 356; Huntington v. Attrill, 146 U. S. 657, 13 Sun. Ct. 224, 36 L. Ed. 1123 ; Tomlin v. Hildreth, 65 N. J. Law, 438, 47 Atl. 649.
—Public wrongs. Violations of public rights and duties which affect the whole community, considered as a community ; crimes and misdemeanors. 3 Bl. Comm. 2; 4 Bl. Comm. 1.
—Real wrong. In old English law. An injury to the freehold.