criminal conversation
Americannoun
noun
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(formerly) a common law action brought by a husband by which he claimed damages against an adulterer
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another term for adultery
Etymology
Origin of criminal conversation
First recorded in 1760–70
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.
Adultery also figures as a basis for demotions, as a ground for tort liability in cases alleging criminal conversation and alienation of affection, and as a factor in allocating property and custody in divorce cases.
From Salon • Apr. 2, 2016
Nor should courts tolerate speculative and vexatious actions for criminal conversation and alienation of affection.
From Salon • Apr. 2, 2016
The act of 1857 also transferred to the new court the powers exercised by the common law courts in the action for criminal conversation.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various
In Ireland the action for criminal conversation is still retained.
From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg
His lawyers, however, attempted to prove criminal conversation, in hopes of extorting money from my lover.
From The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Smollett, T. (Tobias)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
