recidivous

Recidivous is an English adjective describing a tendency to relapse into previous behaviors, especially criminal activity, after an attempt at rehabilitation or punishment. The term signals a repeated return to past conduct rather than a one-time lapse.

Etymology traces recidivous to the Latin recidivus, meaning returning or relapse, from recidere, meaning to fall back. In English, the noun forms recidivism and recidivist are far more common in criminology and psychology, while recidivous remains rare and often appears in historical, formal, or literary contexts.

Usage and scope tend to be limited. When used, recidivous generally characterizes behavior or predispositions rather than a medical diagnosis. For example, one might encounter phrases such as “a recidivous offender” or “recidivous tendencies,” though even these constructs are uncommon in contemporary writing. In most modern discussions of relapse—whether in criminal justice, addiction, or behavior change—relapse or relapse-proneness is preferred for clarity and precision.

Notes on tone are important: recidivous can carry an archaic or literary feel and may sound unfamiliar to general readers. Because recidivism and related terms more precisely describe the phenomenon, recidivous is used sparingly and with careful context.

See also: Recidivism, Recidivist, Relapse, Addiction.