criminal conversation

American  

noun

Civil Law.

1. adultery. crim. con.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of criminal conversation

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Nor should courts tolerate speculative and vexatious actions for criminal conversation and alienation of affection.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2016

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

Honest indifference has no intrigues, no elopements, no disgraceful trials for criminal conversation, no divorces.

From The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William

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

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