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concupiscence

[kon-kyoo-pi-suh ns, kong-]
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noun
  1. sexual desire; lust.
  2. ardent, usually sensuous, longing.
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Origin of concupiscence

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Late Latin word concupīscentia. See concupiscent, -ence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for concupiscence

Historical Examples

  • I could not look at her without feeling the sting of concupiscence.

    The Memoires of Casanova, Complete

    Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

  • It has been truly said that the concupiscence of the eye outlives desire.

  • This I say; it will not put itself in any fear, it will not lead itself into any concupiscence.

    Meditations

    Marcus Aurelius

  • To say that marriage is also a licit remedy of concupiscence is no excuse.

  • For concupiscence is the source of all our movements, and humanity, etc.

British Dictionary definitions for concupiscence

concupiscence

noun
  1. strong desire, esp sexual desire
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Derived Formsconcupiscent, adjective

Word Origin

C14: from Church Latin concupiscentia, from Latin concupiscere to covet ardently, from cupere to wish, desire
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for concupiscence

n.

mid-14c., from Latin concupiscentia "eager desire," from concupiscens, present participle of concupiscere, inceptive of concupere "to be very desirous of," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + cupere "to long for" (see cupidity). Used in Vulgate to translate Greek epithymia.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper