recrimination

American  

[ri-krim-uh-ney-shuhn] / rɪˌkrɪm əˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of recriminating, or countercharging.

   Hope gave way to recrimination with both sides claiming the moral high ground.

2. a countercharge.

   The poll suggests that the public is frustrated by the bickering and recriminations.

---

recrimination British  

/ rɪˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of recriminating

2. law a charge made by an accused against his accuser; countercharge

---

Other Word Forms

• self-recrimination noun

Etymology

Origin of recrimination

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin recrimination-, stem of recriminatio “criticism,” equivalent to Medieval Latin recrīmināt(us), past participle of recrīminārī “to accuse in turn” + -iō -ion ( def. ); recriminate ( def. )

Related Words

• allegation
• complaint
• denunciation
• impeachment
• indictment