— recidivist , n. , adj. — recidivistic, recidivous , adj.
/ri sid"euh viz'euhm/ , n.
1. repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime.
2. Psychiatry. the chronic tendency toward repetition of criminal or antisocial behavior patterns.
[ 1885-90; recidiv ( us ) relapsing ( recid ( ere ) to fall back ( re- RE- + -cidere, comb. form of cadere to fall) + -ivus -IVE) + -ISM ]