\Re*cid"i*vism\, n.
The state or quality of being recidivous; relapse, specif.
(Criminology), a falling back or relapse into prior criminal
habits, esp. after conviction and punishment.
      The old English system of recognizances, in which the
      guilty party deposits a sum of money, is an excellent
      guarantee to society against recidivism. --Havelock
                                               Ellis.