Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legal term for adultery: "Criminal conversation" is a historical legal term that refers to the act of a married person having sexual intercourse with someone who is not their spouse. It specifically denotes the act as a civil wrong (tort) that damages the marriage relationship of the other person.
   • Willful interference with marriage: The term emphasizes the aspect of the act that intentionally and wrongfully interferes with the marital rights of the husband or wife.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • In the 19th century, a husband could sue for damages on the grounds of criminal conversation.
  • The law of criminal conversation has largely been abolished in modern jurisdictions.

Advanced Usage

• Legal context: The phrase is almost exclusively used in historical or formal legal discussions. It is an archaic term that has been replaced in most places by the broader tort of "alienation of affection" or is simply addressed under divorce law.
  • The plaintiff brought an action for criminal conversation against his wife's lover.

Variants and Related Words

• Adultery (n): Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. This is the more common, non-legalistic term.
• Alienation of affection (n): A tort based on willful and malicious interference with a marriage by a third party, which can include acts beyond sexual intercourse.

Synonyms

• Adultery: Extramarital sex.
• Infidelity: Unfaithfulness in a marriage, often used more broadly than just sexual acts.

Related Phrases

• Grounds for divorce: A legal reason for ending a marriage. Criminal conversation was historically cited as grounds for divorce.
  • She filed for divorce, citing criminal conversation as the primary grounds.

Noun

1. extramarital sex that willfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations
   • adultery is often cited as grounds for divorce