fornicate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To engage in fornication.

adj

Shaped like an arch or vault; resembling a fornix.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɔː.nɪˌkeɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-fornicate2.wav /ˈfɔɹ.nɪˌkeɪt/ /ˈfɔː.nɪ.kət/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-fornicate1.wav /ˈfɔɹ.nɪ.kət/

Word forms

fornicate fornicates fornicating fornicated more fornicate most fornicate

Etymology

First attested in 1552; borrowed from Latin fornicātus, perfect active participle of fornicor (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from fornix (“arch, vault; brothel”). It was customary for courtesans of the era to wait for their customers out of the rain in arched passageways.

Derived words

Californicate fornicated fornicator Fornigate phonicate telephonicate fornicate gyrus subfornicate

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