venereal

[ vuh-neer-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. arising from, connected with, or transmitted through sexual intercourse, as an infection.
2. pertaining to conditions so arising.
3. infected with or suffering from a sexually transmitted disease:

   a venereal patient.

4. adapted to the cure of such disease:

   a venereal remedy.

5. of or relating to sexual desire or intercourse.
6. serving or tending to excite sexual desire; aphrodisiac.

venereal

/ vɪˈnɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or infected with venereal disease
2. (of a disease) transmitted by sexual intercourse
3. of, relating to, or involving the genitals
4. of or relating to sexual intercourse or erotic desire; aphrodisiac

Other Words From

• nonve·nere·al adjective
• postve·nere·al adjective
• unve·nere·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of venereal¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin venere ( us ) of sexual love ( vener-, stem of venus sexual charm ( Venus ) + -eus adj. suffix) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of venereal¹

C15: from Latin venereus concerning sexual love, from venus sexual love, from Venus ¹

Example Sentences

So venereal disease became a widespread and debilitating problem for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a large public relations poster effort throughout the country and on Army bases throughout Europe for preventing venereal disease because penicillin should go to wounded soldiers.

From Los Angeles Times

She and her team are confident that advances in the analysis of prehistoric DNA could also lead to the discovery of the origin of venereal syphilis.

From Science Daily

While syphilis as a venereal disease presents a global health risk, bejel, which is spread by skin contact, only occurs today in very arid regions of Africa and Asia.

From Science Daily

Specifically, the court ruled that a person could not be criminally punished for being a narcotics addict, which would be like making it a crime “to be mentally ill, or a leper, or to be afflicted with a venereal disease.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amorous
• bawdy
• carnal
• lewd
• obscene
• romantic
• seductive
• sensual
• sexual
• steamy
• suggestive