This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
fornicate
1[ fawr-ni-keyt ]
/ ˈfɔr nɪˌkeɪt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object), for·ni·cat·ed, for·ni·cat·ing.
to commit fornication.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of fornicate
11545–55; <Late Latin fornicātus (past participle of fornicārī to consort with prostitutes), equivalent to Latin fornic- (stem of fornix) arch, vault, basement, brothel + -ātus-ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM fornicate
for·ni·ca·tor, nounWords nearby fornicate
formylate, formyl group, Fornax, fornenst, Forney, fornicate, fornication, fornicatrix, forniciform, fornix, for one
Other definitions for fornicate (2 of 2)
fornicate2
[ fawr-ni-kit, -keyt ]
/ ˈfɔr nɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt /
adjective Biology.
arched or vaulted in form.
Also for·ni·cat·ed [fawr-ni-key-tid] /ˈfɔr nɪˌkeɪ tɪd/ .
Origin of fornicate
2Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fornicate in a sentence
Fornicate: arched or vaulted: concave within, convex without.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith
British Dictionary definitions for fornicate (1 of 2)
fornicate1
/ (ˈfɔːnɪˌkeɪt) /
verb
(intr) to indulge in or commit fornication
Derived forms of fornicate
fornicator, nounWord Origin for fornicate
C16: from Late Latin fornicārī, from Latin fornix vault, brothel situated therein
British Dictionary definitions for fornicate (2 of 2)
fornicate2
fornicated
/ (ˈfɔːnɪkɪt, -ˌkeɪt) /
adjective
biology arched or hoodlike in form
Word Origin for fornicate
C19: from Latin fornicātus arched, from fornix vault
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