Lustful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Literature

• Shakespeare often explored themes of lust in his plays, depicting complex emotional landscapes around desire.
• In many classical works, lust is often contrasted with love, serving as a cautionary tale about the power and potential pitfalls of desire.
• Modern novels often depict characters grappling with their lustful feelings, showcasing the conflict between desire and societal norms.

Psychology

• From a psychological perspective, lust is considered a basic human drive and is essential for reproduction.
• Research has shown that lust can trigger the release of various hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, heightening attraction and desire.
• The brain regions associated with lust overlap with those involved in reward, suggesting a deep-seated biological basis for these feelings.

Pop Culture

• Songs across genres frequently touch on themes of lust, from pop to R&B, often portraying the excitement and risks of passionate desires.
• Lust has been a central theme in many acclaimed films, exploring the dynamics of relationships and the consequences of unchecked desires.
• Several art movements, such as Romanticism, celebrated the intensity of human emotions, including lust, reflecting society’s changing views on passion.

Philosophy

• Philosophers throughout history have debated the moral implications of lust, often considering it both a natural human impulse and a source of conflict.
• In various cultures, lust has been viewed in contrasting lights: as a vital force essential to life and love, or as a potential source of moral downfall.
• Stoic philosophy encourages moderation, suggesting that while lust can be a powerful force, it should be balanced with reason and self-control.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from Middle English 'lustful', which itself derives from the Old English 'lust', meaning 'pleasure' or 'enjoyment'.
• In Latin, 'luxuria' conveys the idea of excess or indulgence, which reflects the intensity of feelings expressed by the term.
• Over centuries, it has evolved from a neutral meaning of enjoying pleasure to a more focused meaning on strong, often sexual desires.

The word 'lustful' has its roots in the Old English word 'lust' which means 'desire, pleasure.' It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'lustus,' which carries a similar meaning of desire or pleasure. Over time, the term evolved through Middle English as 'lust' and eventually adopted its modern adjectival form in the late Middle Ages. Despite its evolution, the core implication of a strong or intense desire has remained central to its meaning, often with a connotation leaning towards sexual appetite. The term has been used historically in religious texts, literature, and social discussions to explore complex themes surrounding human sexuality and morality.

At rank #25,820, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

• ...
• 25817 crowing
• 25818 recollecting
• 25819 hyacinth
• 25820 lustful
• 25821 determinedly
• 25822 posh
• 25823 cornet
• ...