recidivist

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vist ri-ˈsi-də-vist How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
: one who relapses
specifically : a habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
recidivistic adjective

Examples of recidivist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Time after time after time, Post was released on bail before June 9 because our bail system fails to address recidivists. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2024 The attack comes less than four months after another recidivist criminal was accused of stabbing two teen sisters visiting New York from Paraguay at Grand Central on Christmas morning. John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2024 Among the violations when recidivist Saveur made this list back in November: employees washing their hands by dipping them in a bucket of bleach and water then returning to food preparation. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024 Overall numbers on recidivist crimes are hard to establish because the Russian government restricts the release of any public information that puts the war in a bad light. Milana Mazaeva, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recidivist 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recidivist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French récidiviste, from récidiver "to reappear (of a disease, tumor, etc.), do over, commit a second criminal offense" (going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin recidīvāre "to relapse into sin or crime") + -iste -ist entry 1 — more at recidivate

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recidivist was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near recidivist

Cite this Entry

“Recidivist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recidivist. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

recidivist

noun
re·​cid·​i·​vist -vəst How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
: one who relapses into a previous behavior or condition
especially : a habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
recidivistic adjective

Legal Definition

recidivist

noun
re·​cid·​i·​vist ri-ˈsi-də-vist How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
: an habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
recidivistic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on recidivist

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