Origin: 1595–1605; < ML recrīminātus (ptp. of recrīminārī to accuse in turn), equiv. to re-re-+ crīmin-, s. of crīmen accusation, blame (see crime) + -ātus-ate1
re·crim·i·nate (rĭ-krĭm'ə-nāt') v.
re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing, re·crim·i·nates
v.
tr. To accuse in return. v.
intr. To counter one accusation with another.
[Medieval Latin recrīminārī, recrīmināt- : Latin re-, re- + Latin crīmināre, to accuse (from crīmen, crīmin-, accusation, crime; see krei- in Indo-European roots).] re·crim'i·na'tive, re·crim'i·na·to'ry (-nə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj., re·crim'i·na'tor n.