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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

She charged alienation of affections, named Marjorie Rambeau, famed actress, with whom Keith appeared in As You Like It.

From Time Magazine Archive

Only last week did Playwright MacArthur's first wife, a Chicago newspaper woman, drop her alienation of affections suit against Actress Hayes.

From Time Magazine Archive

At Albany the State Senate and Assembly passed a bill prohibiting civil suits for alienation of affections, breach of promise and seduction, sent it to Governor Herbert Lehman to sign.

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 Miller, Gustavus Hindman

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