celibacy

[ sel-uh-buh-see ]

/ ˈsɛl ə bə si /

See synonyms for celibacy on Thesaurus.com

noun

abstention from sexual relations.

abstention by vow from marriage: the celibacy of priests.

the state of being unmarried.

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We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

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Origin of celibacy

1655–65; <Latin caelibā(tus) celibacy (caelib-, stem of caelebs single + -ātus-ate³) + -cy

OTHER WORDS FROM celibacy

cel·i·bat·ic

[sel-uh-bat-ik], /ˌsɛl əˈbæt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby celibacy

celiac ganglion, celiac gland, celiac plexus, celiac plexus reflex, celiac trunk, celibacy, celibate, Céline, celio-, celiocentesis, celioenterotomy

Example sentences from the Web for celibacy

Do you think that if the rules on celibacy were loosened, this would change things considerably?
Alex Gibney’s ‘Mea Maxima Culpa’: Sex, Lies, and the Catholic Church|Michael Moynihan|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
First undergo a rectal exam, celibacy lecture, and waiting period.
State Pols Outraged by Anti-Abortion Laws Push Onerous Restrictions on Viagra|Allison Yarrow|March 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After this warm appeal, the evangelists met at Einsidlen came to celibacy.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Vol 2|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
Prejudices: celibacy of priests, futility of adultery, emancipation of woman.
Bouvard and Pcuchet, part 2|Gustave Flaubert

Between these the primal law of celibacy between brother and sister as such embraced the whole generation.
Social Origins and Primal Law|Andrew Lang
The light which he and his friends had acquired on the subject of celibacy was not generally diffused.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Vol 2|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
On the one hand you are doomed to a life of celibacy—married to a woman whom you can never meet again.
'Farewell'|W. H. Stacpoole

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celibacy

noun

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Origin of celibacy

OTHER WORDS FROM celibacy

Words nearby celibacy

Example sentences from the Web for celibacy

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

celibacy

noun

QUIZZES

DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!

Origin of celibacy

OTHER WORDS FROM celibacy

Words nearby celibacy

Words related to celibacy

Example sentences from the Web for celibacy