perversion

[per-vur-zhuh n, -shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perversion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of perverting.

the state of being perverted.

a perverted form of something.

any of various means of obtaining sexual gratification that are generally regarded as being abnormal.

Pathology. a change to what is unnatural or abnormal: a perversion of function or structure.

Origin of perversion

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin perversiōn- (stem of perversiō). See perverse, -ion

Related formsnon·per·ver·sion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for perversion

immorality, deviance, kink, debauchery, fetish, anomaly, corruption, aberration, kinkiness

Examples from the Web for perversion

Historical Examples of perversion

Perversion is the keynote of all the debased forms of Gnosticism.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements
Nesta H. Webster
Perversion—drinking in excessive quantities; drunkenness; and unquenchable thirst.
The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology
O. S. Fowler
Perversion—superstition; witchcraft; and with Cautiousness large, fear of ghosts.
The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology
O. S. Fowler
Perversion—excessive fondness for music to the neglect of other things.
The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology
O. S. Fowler
Perversion is morbid alteration of function which may occur in emotional, intellectual, or volitional fields.
Applied Psychology for Nurses
Mary F. Porter

British Dictionary definitions for perversion

perversion

noun

any abnormal means of obtaining sexual satisfaction

the act of perverting or the state of being perverted

a perverted form or usage

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 perversion

late 14c., "action of turning aside from truth, corruption, distortion" (originally of religious beliefs), from Latin perversionem (nominative perversio) "a turning about," noun of action from past participle stem of pervertere (see pervert (v.)). Psychological sense of "disorder of sexual behavior in which satisfaction is sought through channels other than those of normal heterosexual intercourse" is from 1892, originally including homosexuality.

Perversions are defined as unnatural acts, acts contrary to nature, bestial, abominable, and detestable. Such laws are interpretable only in accordance with the ancient tradition of the English common law which ... is committed to the doctrine that no sexual activity is justifiable unless its objective is procreation. [A.C. Kinsey, et.al., "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male," 1948]

perversion in Medicine

perversion

[pər-vûr′zhən]

n.

A practice or act, especially one that is sexual in nature, considered abnormal or deviant.