recidivate

English Verb

Definition

To relapse into a previous pattern of behavior, especially to commit new offenses after having been punished or sanctioned for earlier ones.

Etymology

Adapted borrowing of Medieval Latin recidīvātus + -ate (verb-forming suffix), past participle of recidīvō, from Latin recidīvus (“returning, recurring”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). Compare French récidiver. By surface analysis, recidive + -ate