Law Dictionary Definitions

recidivist (ri-sid-<<schwa>>-vist), n. One who has been convicted of multiple criminal offenses, usu. similar in nature; a repeat offender <proponents of prison reform argue that prisons don’t cure the recidivist>. — Also termed habitual offender; habitual criminal; repeater; career criminal. [Cases: Sentencing and Punishment 1200. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 1638–1639, 1641.] [Blacks Law 8th]

recidivism (ri-sid-<<schwa>>-viz-<<schwa>>m), n. A tendency to relapse into a habit of criminal activity or behavior. — Also termed (archaically) recidivation. — recidivous, recidivist,adj. [Blacks Law 8th]

recidivation.Archaic. See RECIDIVISM. [Blacks Law 8th]

recidivate (ri-sid-<<schwa>>-vayt), vb. To return to a habit of criminal behavior; to relapse into crime. [Cases: Sentencing and Punishment 1202. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 1643, 1650, 1652.] [Blacks Law 8th]

Rechtsphilosophie (rekts-f<<schwa>>-los-<<schwa>>-fee). See ethical jurisprudence under JURISPRUDENCE. [Blacks Law 8th]

Rechtsbesitz (rekts-be-zits). See possession of a right under POSSESSION. [Blacks Law 8th]

Recht (rekt). [German “right”] 1. Law generally. 2. A body of law. 3. A right or claim. [Blacks Law 8th]

recharacterization. A court’s determination that an insider’s loan to an entity in liquidation (such as a corporation or partnership) should be treated as a capital contribution, not as a loan, thereby entitling the insider to only part of the liquidation proceeds payable after all the business’s debts have been discharged. • Factors influencing this determination…

  recessus maris (ri-ses-<<schwa>>s mair-<<schwa>>s). [Latin] A going back or retreat of the sea. See RELICTION. [Blacks Law 8th]

recession. A period characterized by a sharp slowdown in economic activity, declining employment, and a decrease in investment and consumer spending. Cf. DEPRESSION. [Blacks Law 8th]