from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Recrimination \Re*crim`i*na"tion\ (-n?"sh?n), n. [F.
r['e]crimination, LL. recriminatio.]
The act of recriminating; an accusation brought by the
accused against the accuser; a counter accusation.
[1913 Webster]
Accusations and recriminations passed backward and
forward between the contending parties. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
RECRIMINATION, crim. law. An accusation made by a person accused against his
accuser, either of having committed the same offence, or another.
2. In general recrimination does not excuse the person accused, nor
diminish his punishment, because the guilt of another can never excuse him.
But in applications for divorce on the ground of adultery, if the party
defendant, can prove that the plaintiff or complainant has been guilty of
the same offence, the divorce will not be granted. 1 Hagg. C. Rep. 144; S.
C. 4 Eccl. Rep. 360. The laws of Pennsylvania contain a provision to the
same effect. Vide 1 Hagg. Eccl. R. 790; 3 Hagg. Eccl. R. 77; 1 Hagg. Cons.
R. 147; 2 Hagg. Cons. R. 297; Shelf. on Mar. and Div. 440; Dig. 24, 3, 39;
Dig. 48, 5, 13, 5; 1 Addams, R. 411; Compensation; Condonation; Divorce,