recidivism

[ ri-sid-uh-viz-uh m ]
/ rɪˈsɪd əˌvɪz əm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR recidivism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime.
Psychiatry. the chronic tendency toward repetition of criminal or antisocial behavior patterns.

Origin of recidivism

1885–90; < Latin recidīv(us) relapsing ( recid(ere) to fall back ( re- re- + -cidere, combining form of cadere to fall) + -īvus -ive) + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM recidivism

re·cid·i·vist, noun, adjective re·cid·i·vis·tic, re·cid·i·vous, adjective

Words nearby recidivism

rechar, recharge, rechargeable, recherché, recidivate, recidivism, recidivist, recife, recip., recipe, recipience

Example sentences from the Web for recidivist

  • But the keeping of recidivist records is only one part of the business of the Criminal Record Office.

    Scotland Yard |George Dilnot

  • The consequence is that he falls away and rejoins his old companions and soon becomes a recidivist.

    A Plea for the Criminal |James Leslie Allan Kayll

British Dictionary definitions for recidivist

recidivism
/ (rɪˈsɪdɪˌvɪzəm) /

noun

habitual relapse into crime

Derived forms of recidivism

recidivist, noun, adjective recidivistic or recidivous, adjective

Word Origin for recidivism

C19: from Latin recidīvus falling back, from re- + cadere to fall

Medical definitions for recidivist (1 of 2)

recidivist
[ rĭ-sĭd′ə-vĭst ]

n.

A person who relapses, especially by returning to criminal behavior.

Medical definitions for recidivist (2 of 2)

recidivism
[ rĭ-sĭd′ə-vĭz′əm ]

n.

A tendency to lapse into a previous pattern of behavior, especially a pattern of criminal habits.
The relapse of a disease or symptom. recidivation