concupiscence

[kon-kyoo-pi-suh ns, kong-]

See more synonyms for concupiscence on Thesaurus.com

noun

sexual desire; lust.
ardent, usually sensuous, longing.

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

Related Words for concupiscence

desire, lechery, prurience

Examples from the Web for concupiscence

Historical Examples of concupiscence

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.
The Orchard of Tears
Sax Rohmer
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.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation
Austin O'Malley
For concupiscence is the source of all our movements, and humanity, etc.
The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal

British Dictionary definitions for concupiscence

concupiscence

noun

strong desire, esp sexual desire

Derived Formsconcupiscent, adjective

Word Origin for concupiscence

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

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.