The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Recidivous \Re*cid"i*vous\ (r[-e]*s[i^]d"[i^]*v[u^]s), a. [L.
recidivus, fr. recidere to fall back.]
Tending or liable to backslide or relapse to a former
condition or habit.
[1913 Webster]