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recidivist

 - 8 dictionary results

re⋅cid⋅i⋅vism

  [ri-sid-uh-viz-uhm]
Use recidivist in a Sentence
–noun
1. repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime.
2. Psychiatry. the chronic tendency toward repetition of criminal or antisocial behavior patterns.
Origin:
1885–90; < L recidīv(us) relapsing (recid(ere) to fall back (re- re- + -cidere, comb. form of cadere to fall) + -īvus -ive ) + -ism

Related forms:
re⋅cid⋅i⋅vist, noun, adjective
re⋅cid⋅i⋅vis⋅tic, re⋅cid⋅i⋅vous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To recidivist
re·cid·i·vism   (rĭ-sĭd'ə-vĭz'əm)   
n.  A tendency to recidivate.

[From recidivist, one who recidivates, from French récidiviste, from récidiver, to relapse, from Medieval Latin recidīvāre, from Latin recidīvus, falling back, from recidere, to fall back : re-, re- + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots.]
re·cid'i·vist n., re·cid'i·vis'tic, re·cid'i·vous adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·cid·i·vism
Pronunciation: ri-'si-d&-"vi-z&m
Function: noun
: relapse into criminal behavior

Main Entry: re·cid·i·vist
Pronunciation: ri-'si-d&-vist
Function: noun
: an habitual criminal —recidivist adjective —re·cid·i·vis·tic /ri-"si-d&-'vis-tik/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·cid·i·vism
Pronunciation: ri-'sid-&-"viz-&m
Function: noun
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition ormode of behavior recidivism among heroin addicts>; especially : relapse into criminal behavior

Main Entry: re·cid·i·vist
Pronunciation: -v&st
Function: noun
: one who relapses; specifically : an habitualcriminal —recidivist adjective —re·cid·i·vis·tic /-"sid-&-'vis-tik/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

recidivism re·cid·i·vism (rĭ-sĭd'ə-vĭz'əm)
n.

  1. A tendency to lapse into a previous pattern of behavior, especially a pattern of criminal habits.

  2. The relapse of a disease or symptom. Also called recidivation.

recidivist re·cid·i·vist (rĭ-sĭd'ə-vĭst)
n.
A person who relapses, especially by returning to criminal behavior.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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