adultery

[ uh-duhl-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural a·dul·ter·ies.

1. voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their lawful spouse.

adultery

/ əˈdʌltərɪ /

noun

1. voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man or woman and a partner other than the legal spouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of adultery¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English adulterie, from Latin adulterium, equivalent to adulter ( adulterer ) + -ium -ium; replacing Middle English a(d)voutri(e), from Old French avout(e)rie

Word History and Origins

Origin of adultery¹

C15: adulterie, altered (as if directly from Latin adulterium ) from C14 avoutrie, via Old French from Latin adulterium, from adulter, back formation from adulterāre. See adulterate

Example Sentences

It also contains some clunky passages of adultery, temptations of the flesh, and general sexual awkwardness.

From The Daily Beast

But I say onto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, Rampal preached against adultery and “vulgar singing and dancing.”

From The Daily Beast

Pounding is charged with one count each of assault, adultery, and conduct unbecoming an officer.

From The Daily Beast

Typically, adultery charges are added to cases where there have been other offenses.

From The Daily Beast

Adultery is a cause recognized in all of them, for which an absolute divorce can be granted.

From Project Gutenberg

We owe it neither to the Syriac tongue nor to the Hebrew, a jargon of the Syriac, in which adultery is called niuph.

From Project Gutenberg

The women of Lacedæmon, we are told, knew neither confession nor adultery.

From Project Gutenberg

Adultery is an evil only inasmuch as it is a theft; but we do not steal that which is given to us.

From Project Gutenberg

The Lacedæmonians, therefore, had good reason for saying that adultery was impossible among them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• infidelity