Recidivate is a verb that means to relapse into a previous condition.

The Latin word recidivus rech ay DEEV ose) means ‘recurring’ or ‘falling back.’ Our word of the day is often used in a context that refers to criminal behavior.

My client may have had something of a criminal past, but I can say with complete certainty that after this warning, he won’t recidivate to a life of crime anymore.