Recidivism
Pronunciation : Re*cid"i*vism
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : Defn: The state or quality of being recidivous; relapse, specif. (Criminology),
Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913