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alienation of affections

American  
Or alienation of affection

noun

Law.
  1. the estrangement by a third person of one spouse from the other.


Etymology

Origin of alienation of affections

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Under the "alienation of affections" law, a plaintiff must prove the marriage was happy before a third party intervened.

From Fox News Oct. 5, 2019

Later the man sued his wife for divorce, naming Bruce Barton as corespondent, sued Barton for alienation of affections.

From Time Magazine Archive

But in the end, Husband Tilton's forbearance gave out, and he sued Beecher for alienation of affections.

From Time Magazine Archive

Samples: From gross income you may exclude alimony, damages collected for breach of promise, alienation of affections, libel or slander.

From Time Magazine Archive

For some one to spit on you, foretells disagreements and alienation of affections.

From Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition by Gustavus Hindman Miller

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