Word of the Day – Recidivism

Recidivism (noun)

ri-sid-iv-izm

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

1863, from French récidiviste, from récidiver “to fall back, relapse,” from Medieval Latin recidivare “to relapse into sin,” from Latin recidivus “falling back,” from recidere “fall back,” from re- “back, again” (see re-) + comb.

Example sentences

“The new court system has been successful in reducing recidivism.”