Re*cid"i*vism (?), n.
The state or
quality of being recidivous; relapse, specif.
(Criminology),
a falling back or relapse into prior
criminal habits, esp. after conviction and punishment.
The old English system of recognizances, in which the
guilty party deposits a sum of money, is an excellent guarantee to
society against recidivism. Havelock
Ellis.
© Webster 1913.