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recidivist


re·cid·i·vist

noun \-vist\

Definition of RECIDIVIST

: one who relapses; specifically : a habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
re·cid·i·vis·tic \-ˌsi-də-ˈvis-tik\ adjective

Origin of RECIDIVIST

French récidiviste, from récidiver to relapse, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin recidivare, from Latin recidivus recurring, from recidere to fall back, from re- + cadere to fall — more at chance
First Known Use: 1880

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