Venereal

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /vəˈnɪɹiÉ™l/
• RP IPA: /vəˈnɪəɹɪəl/

Origin

Originated 1400–50 from late Middle English venereal, from Latin venereus ("of sexual love"), from Venus ("goddess of love").

Full definition of venereal

Adjective

1. sexually transmitted.
2. of or relating to sexual intercourse, lust, or the genitals.
• MiltonInto the snare I fell
  Of fair, fallacious looks, venereal trains,
  Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life.
3. Exciting sexual desire; aphrodisiac.
4. Adapted to the cure of venereal diseases.a venereal medicine
5. (obsolete) of or relating to copper (formerly called Venus by alchemists).

Derived terms

• dermatovenereal
• venereal disease
• venereally
• venerology

Anagrams

• valerene