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

In Ireland the action for criminal conversation is still retained.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

A wife may testify against the husband in certain cases, as actions for alienating of affection, or criminal conversation; not so the husband.

From Popular Law-making by Stimson, Frederic Jesup

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