What term refers to a private wrong for which damages may be recovered?

The term that refers to a private wrong for which damages may be recovered is "tort." In legal terminology, a tort is an action or inaction that causes harm or injury to another person, leading to legal liability. Tort law is designed to provide relief to victims who have suffered losses due to the wrongful actions of others. This can include various types of wrongs, such as personal injury, defamation, or property damage.

When an individual commits a tort, they may be required to pay damages to the victim to compensate for the injury or loss incurred. This concept is foundational in civil law, distinguishing it from criminal law, which deals with offenses against the state or public.

In contrast, other terms are associated with different legal concepts. For instance, a contract refers to a legally binding agreement between parties, while negligence is a specific type of tort that occurs when a party fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another. Liability, on the other hand, relates to the legal responsibility for one's actions or omissions but does not inherently define the act of wrongdoing itself as a tort does.