sodomy

[ sod-uh-mee ]

noun

1. anal sex, especially between men.
2. Law. any sexual contact other than heterosexual vaginal intercourse.
3. any sexual contact that is stigmatized as unnatural or immoral.

adjective

1. Law. of or relating to any sexual contact other than heterosexual vaginal intercourse.

sodomy

/ ˈsɒdəmɪ /

noun

1. anal intercourse committed by a man with another man or a woman Compare buggery

sodomy

1. Sexual intercourse that is not the union of the genital organs of a man and a woman. The term is most frequently applied to anal intercourse between two men or to sexual relations between people and animals. ( See pederast .)

Notes

According to the Bible (see also Bible ), God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for unacceptable sexual practices, apparently including anal intercourse between men. Sodomy takes its name from the city of Sodom.

Many governments have laws against sodomy. These laws are difficult to enforce, however, and many people believe they violate personal privacy.

Other Words From

• sod·o·mit·i·cal [sod-, uh, -, mit, -i-k, uh, l], sod·o·mit·ic adjective
• sod·o·mit·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodomy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sodomie, from Old French; Sodom, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodomy¹

C13: via Old French sodomie from Latin (Vulgate) Sodoma Sodom