criminal conversation

noun

, Civil Law.

(formerly) a common law action brought by a husband by which he claimed damages against an adulterer
See adultery
another term for adultery

First recorded in 1760–70

Whom but Madame Seringat, in criminal conversation with the young officer!

There was no room for equivocation; he had been caught in the very act of criminal conversation with the hare-pie.

You ought to have instructed your attorney to bring an action against the hawker for criminal conversation with your wife.

Honest indifference has no intrigues, no elopements, no disgraceful trials for criminal conversation, no divorces.

His lawyers, however, attempted to prove criminal conversation, in hopes of extorting money from my lover.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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