Prurience Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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prurience
[ˈprʊərɪəns ]
Definition
sexual desire
Prurience refers to an excessive or unhealthy interest in sexual matters. It often implies a fixation or craving for sexual content or behavior that may be considered indecent or inappropriate. This term is often used in discussions about media, literature, and societal norms regarding sexuality.
Synonyms
lasciviousness, lewdness, licentiousness, obscenity, salaciousness.
Examples of usage
- The novel was criticized for its prurience.
- His prurience made others uncomfortable in the conversation.
- The film contains scenes that may appeal to prurience.
- She dismissed the article as mere prurience without substance.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Studies indicate that prurient interests can be linked to human curiosity about sexuality, which is a natural part of development.
- Psychologists explore how societal norms shape our perceptions of acceptable interests and desires.
- Overarching prurience can sometimes cause feelings of guilt or shame, depending on cultural attitudes toward sexuality.
Literature
- The concept is often explored in works addressing morality and societal constraints, highlighting conflicts between desire and propriety.
- Famous authors like D.H. Lawrence and Henry Miller often faced censorship due to their prurient themes, challenging conventions of their times.
- In contemporary literature, prurience serves to stimulate discussions about gender, power, and sexuality.
Law
- In legal contexts, prurience is used to assess materials that may be deemed obscene or inappropriate.
- The Miller Test, established by the U.S. Supreme Court, includes prurience as a standard for determining obscenity.
- Courts often wrestle with the balance of artistic expression versus community standards regarding prurient content.
Pop Culture
- Television shows and movies often use prurient themes as a way to engage audiences, drawing on fascination with taboo subjects.
- Celebrities sometimes court controversy around their prurient interests to generate media buzz and discussion.
- Social media platforms regularly grapple with prurience in the content shared by users, continuously updating their guidelines and policies.
Origin of 'prurience'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Latin word 'prurire', meaning 'to itch', suggesting a restless desire or curiosity.
- It was first used in English around the mid-19th century, often in a literary or legal context.
- The noun form has evolved over time but retains the connotation of an unrestrained interest.
The word 'prurience' comes from the Latin adjective 'prurientem', which is the accusative singular form of 'pruriens', the present participle of 'prurire', meaning 'to itch or to long for'. The Latin root suggests a sense of yearning, which has evolved into its modern usage that often relates to an inappropriate or excessive longing, particularly in a sexual context. The term began appearing in English texts in the late 19th century, reflecting societal concerns about sexual morality and the portrayal of sexuality in literature and art. As societal attitudes toward sexuality have varied, the term has often been employed in discussions regarding censorship and morality in media.