English Explanatory Dictionary

recidivism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Committing new offenses after a crime committed in the past.
  2. Chronic repetition of criminal or other antisocial behavior.
  3. Returning to a negative behavior after having stopped it for a period of time.

Pronunciation

/rɪˈsɪdɪvɪzm̩/ /ɹəˈsɪdəvəzm̩/ r(ĭ)-sĭ'-dĭ-vĭ-zm̩ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-recidivism.wav

Word forms

recidivism recidivisms

Etymology

From French récidivisme, from Latin recidīvus (“returning, recurring”). Compare recidivous, -ism. By surface analysis, recidive + -ism.

Related words

recidivist recidivize three strikes and you're out three-strikes law zero tolerance
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