"Generally, the state of mind which is necessary in order to commit a crime. At common law both an intent to commit a crime, called the mens rea, and the acts which constitute the crime were required to establish guilt. 4 Bl. Comm. *21. During the 19th century, American law developed the doctrine that punishment for crimes resulting in death depends upon the intent of the actor. Generally, willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing was classified as first degree murder, while a killing with malice, or mere intent to kill, would be classified as second degree murder. The distinction is statutory and varies widely among jurisdictions. Most modern criminal codes define the culpable mental states in specific terms such as acting intentionally, purposefully, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently."

Why you asking Keith? You gearing up to kill someone?