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Glite Dictionary
criminal conversation

criminal conversation

9.9
A former lawsuit where a husband or wife sued someone for having sex with their married partner
  • noun
  • NSFW
translation icon : conversación criminal
  • In the 19th century, cases of criminal conversation were often sensationalized in newspapers, highlighting the scandalous affairs of the wealthy.

Examples

  • Causes of action can sometimes be eliminated, as has happened in many jurisdictions for torts such as alienation of affections and criminal conversation.

    Academic text (2004)

  • This climaxed in a great scandal in May 1771, when these Gainsborough portraits were on show at the Royal Academy, and the inevitable trial for criminal conversation took place that June.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in the case of criminal conversation, awarding damages for the adultery committed against her husband.

  • Historically, criminal conversation was a legal term used when a spouse sought compensation for infidelity inflicted upon them.

Synonyms

adultery
vscriminal conversation
  • NSFW
113 5.9

Sex between a married person and someone who is not their husband or wife

is a historical civil wrong allowing a spouse to sue for damages
criminal congress
vscriminal conversation
  • NSFW
9.9

Sexual activity the law makes illegal, for example sex with a close family member or with a child

focuses on harm to a spouse and civil claims rather than criminal punishment

Antonyms

fidelity
35 4.9

Loyalty to a person, promise, or duty

Surface Forms

criminal conversation singular
criminal conversations plural

Morphology

criminal + conversation

A B1 learner who knows 'criminal' (relating to crime) and the common meaning of 'conversation' (talk) would not infer the legal, archaic sense of 'conversation' = sexual intercourse; the combination therefore does not transparently yield 'extramarital sexual intercourse' and is misleading (suggesting 'illegal talk'). The phrase is a specialized, historical legal term whose meaning has shifted and is not predictable from its constituents, so learners would need prior exposure.

Etymology

Criminal conversation may come from a time when conversation meant 'sexual relations' rather than talk. With criminal meaning a 'wrongful act' you could sue for, criminal conversation named an affair as a harm to a spouse, so someone could take the lover to court.