Word of the Day: Recidivism

Recidivism \rih-SID-uh-viz-uhm\ noun

1.  A tendency to lapse into a previous condition or pattern of behavior; especially, a falling back or relapse into prior criminal habits.

Orign:
Recidivism derives from Latin recidivus, "falling back," from recidere, "to fall back," from re-, "back" + cadere, "to fall".  One who relaspses or who is an incorrigible criminal is a recidivist.