alienation of affections

or alienation of affection

noun

, Law.

1. the estrangement by a third person of one spouse from the other.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alienation of affections¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Two years after publication of the article about his wife and Henry Ward Beecher, Theodore Tilton sued Beecher for adultery and the “alienation of affections” within his marriage.

From Literature

Speaking Wednesday, Kevin Howard told Greenville’s WNCN-TV he filed a lawsuit against the man who had an affair with his wife over "alienation of affections," a common law tort that dates to the 18th century, when women were considered their husbands' property.

From Fox News

Under the "alienation of affections" law, a plaintiff must prove the marriage was happy before a third party intervened.

From Fox News

Then, Melissa sued Cuesta, the school district, and school officials, seeking damages for, among other things, “repeated sexual injury and assault,” “nightmares and sleep deprivation,” “emotional distress,” “alienation of affections,” and “loss of enjoyment of life.”

From Slate

Last week, a strong man of 69, he was in again, being sued for $100,000 alienation of affections by a doughnut maker named Satir C. Adams.

From Time Magazine Archive