Recidivist

A habitual criminal

One who makes a trade of crime. Reformation in such cases is rare. Such criminals generally either succumb to tuberculosis or heart disease in prison or end in an asylum. Sometimes attacks of acute mania or melancholia have a good influence upon such persons, but generally after an attack of acute insanity they are found to be still subject to their criminal tendencies. Mc Donald, Criminology, ch. viii. As to cases of innate tendency to particular crimes or special propensities, see id. pt. il. ch. i.-ii.