recidivate
verb
re·cid·i·vate ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvāt 
recidivated; recidivating; recidivates
intransitive verb
: to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior and especially delinquency or criminal activity : to exhibit recidivism
There are three things that exponentially decrease the likelihood that an offender will recidivate. Offenders who obtain a diploma or GED certificate, obtain a job skill and maintain gainful employment are far more likely to break out of this dreaded cycle.
Christopher Bowman
Christopher Bowman
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin recidīvātus, past participle of recidīvāre "to relapse into sin or crime," verbal derivative of Latin recidīvus "recurring, relapsing," from recidere "to fall back, sink back, relapse" (from re- re- + cadere "to fall") + -īvus -ive — more at chance entry 1
First Known Use
1528, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
recidivate
intransitive verb
re·cid·i·vate
ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvāt
recidivated; recidivating
: to return to criminal activity