(formerly) a common law action brought by a husband by which he claimed damages against an adulterer
2. another term for adultery
criminal conversation in American English
conversation (sense 2)
criminal conversation in American English
noun
Civil Law
adultery
Abbreviation: crim. con.
Word origin
[1760–70]This word is first recorded in the period 1760–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: ingrain, plunk, right of way, sounding board, toggle
Examples of 'criminal conversation' in a sentence
criminal conversation
It needn't be the actual deed (racily described as 'criminal conversation') and could even just refer to the baleful influence of ordinary friends or relatives.