fornicate

¹

[ fawr-ni-keyt ]

verb (used without object)

, for·ni·cat·ed, for·ni·cat·ing.

1. to have sexual intercourse with someone to whom one is not married.

fornicate

²

[ fawr-ni-kit, -keyt ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. arched or vaulted in form.

fornicate

¹

/ ˈfɔːnɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. intr to indulge in or commit fornication

fornicate

²

/ -ˌkeɪt; ˈfɔːnɪkɪt /

adjective

1. biology arched or hoodlike in form

Derived Forms

• ˈforniˌcator, noun

Other Words From

• for·ni·ca·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fornicate¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Late Latin fornicātus “consorted,” past participle of fornicārī “to consort with prostitutes,” from Latin fornix “basement, brothel,” also “arch, vault”; fornicate ²

Origin of fornicate²

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin fornicātus, from fornix “arch, vault,” also “basement, brothel”; fornicate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fornicate¹

C16: from Late Latin fornicārī , from Latin fornix vault, brothel situated therein

Origin of fornicate²

C19: from Latin fornicātus arched, from fornix vault

Example Sentences

Fornicate: arched or vaulted: concave within, convex without.

From Project Gutenberg