Prurient: meaning, definitions and examples

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prurient

 

[ หˆprสŠษ™riษ™nt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

sexual desire

The term 'prurient' describes an excessive interest in sexual matters, often to the point where it becomes inappropriate or unhealthy. It relates to a lascivious or lewd fascination, and is frequently used in legal contexts to denote materials deemed as having a primary purpose of sexual stimulation. This word indicates not only curiosity but also a tendency toward indecent or obscene thoughts. In literature and discussion, it can also refer to works that exhibit an overtly sexual nature.

Synonyms

lascivious, lecherous, salacious

Examples of usage

  • The film was criticized for its prurient scenes.
  • He had a prurient interest in gossip about celebrities' romantic lives.
  • The book was banned for its prurient content.

Translations

Translations of the word "prurient" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น libidinoso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคพเคฎเฅเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช prurient

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bernafsu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพั…ะพั‚ะปะธะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przyzwoity

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆทซใ‚‰ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท prurient

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lascivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸehvetli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์Œ๋ž€ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุซูŠุฑ ู„ู„ุดู‡ูˆุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nadrลพenรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nadrลพanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆทซ่ก็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nagnjen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ grรณfur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›าฑะผะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ•แƒœแƒ”แƒ‘แƒแƒ—แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸษ™hvษ™tli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lascivo

Etymology

The word 'prurient' originates from the Latin term 'prurire', which means 'to itch' or 'to long for'. The transition into English occurred in the early 17th century. The original sense of the word referred to a physical itch but gradually evolved to describe a longing or desire pertaining more specifically to sexual desire. By the 19th century, it took on a more explicit connotation related to lewdness and was often employed in legal contexts, particularly around laws concerning obscenity. In modern usage, it is frequently applied in critiques of literature, film, and art that are perceived to prioritize sexual provocation over substantive content.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,822, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.