recrimination
(rɪkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən)
[a. F. récrimination (1611 Cotgr.), or ad. med.L. recriminātiōn-em: cf. crimination.]
1. The action of bringing a counter-accusation against a person.
| 1611 Cotgr. s.v., A recrimination, an accusation of an accuser. 1632 Star Chamb. Cases (Camden) 147 The Defendants answere that this Bill is a bill of recrimination. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacræ i. iv. §10 His Compurgators..have sought to make good his credit by recrimination. 1771 Burke Lett., to Bp. Chester (1884) I. 295 Avoiding all offensive terms, or any kind of recrimination on their accusers. 1860 Motley Netherl. iv. I. 117 When, after so much talking and tampering, there began to be recrimination among the leaguers. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. ix. 313 The dispute lasted for some years, with much mutual recrimination. |
2. A counter-accusation; an accusation brought in turn by the accused against the accuser.
| 1621 H. Elsing Debates Ho. Lords (Camden) 84 Conclusion, denying his recriminacion. 1650 Row Hist. Kirk (1842) 502 It contained many recriminations and fowll aspersions. a 1721 Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) II. 101 Neither will I take up your Lordships time with recriminations. 1791–1823 D'Israeli Cur. Lit. (1859) II. 350 The recriminations of politicians are the confessions of great sinners. 1850 Grote Greece ii. lxiv. (1862) V. 535 When they heard the criminations and recriminations between the generals on one side and Theramenês on the other. |