Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

libido

[li-bee-doh]
noun, plural li·bi·dos.
  1. Psychoanalysis. all of the instinctual energies and desires that are derived from the id.
  2. sexual instinct or sexual drive.
Show More

Origin of libido

1890–95; < Latin libīdō desire, willfulness, lust, akin to libēre to be pleasing
Related formsli·bid·i·nal [li-bid-n-l] /lɪˈbɪd n l/, adjectiveli·bid·i·nal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for libidinal

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for libidinal

libido

noun plural -dos
  1. psychoanal psychic energy emanating from the id
  2. sexual urge or desire
Show More
Derived Formslibidinal (lɪˈbɪdɪnəl), adjectivelibidinally, adverb

Word Origin

C20 (in psychoanalysis): from Latin: 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 libidinal

adj.

1922, in psychology jargon, from libido (Latin genitive libidinis) + -al (1).

Show More

libido

n.

"psychic drive or energy, usually associated with sexual instinct," 1892, carried over untranslated in English edition of Krafft-Ebing's "Psychopathia Sexualis"; and used in 1909 in A.A. Brill's translation of Freud's "Selected Papers on Hysteria" (Freud's use of the term led to its popularity); from Latin libido "desire, lust," from libere "to be pleasing, to please," ultimately cognate with Old English lufu (see love (n.)).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
libidinal in Medicine

libido

(lĭ-bē′dō, -bī′-)
n. pl. li•bi•dos
  1. The psychic and emotional energy associated with instinctual biological drives.
  2. Sexual desire.
  3. Manifestation of the sexual drive.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
libidinal in Culture

libido

[(luh-bee-doh)]

In Freudian psychology, the energy associated with the desires that come from the id.

Show More

Note

Libido is loosely used to mean sexual desire.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.