criminal conversation

American  

noun

Civil Law.

1. adultery. crim. con.

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criminal conversation British  

noun

1. (formerly) a common law action brought by a husband by which he claimed damages against an adulterer

2. another term for adultery

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Etymology

Origin of criminal conversation

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

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

I have seen him do it; I have caught him in criminal conversation with a pen and a sheet of paper; bottle at hand—         A quo, ceu fonte perenni,       Vatum Pieriis ora rigantur aquis.

From Twenty-One Days in India; and, the Teapot Series by Aberigh-Mackay, George Robert

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)

There was no room for equivocation; he had been caught in the very act of criminal conversation with the hare-pie.

From The House by the Church-Yard by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan