alienation of affections
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.81 in modern English
33
Scrabble Score
22
Letters
4
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A common law tort that can be brought against the third party alleged to be responsible for the failure of marriage; abolished in many jurisdictions.
Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "The wrong in alienation of affections is foreseen damage to the relationship between husband and wife, which requires the marriage not to have been in ruins before the outsider interfered."
- "She brought suit against Margie under a seldom-used theory, the alienation of affections cause of action. In an alienation of affections claim, a plaintiff can recover from a third party who has deprived her of the affection of her spouse."
- "To make a successful claim for a^([sic]) alienation of affections, traditionally, a plaintiff would have to prove three elements: (1) that true affection had existed between the spouses at one time; (2) that the affection was destroyed; and (3) that the defendant caused the destruction of affection or otherwise impaired the marital relationship."