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Prurience - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Prurience refers to an excessive or unhealthy interest in sexual matters, often characterized by a lewd or lascivious attitude. It implies a preoccupation with salacious details.

prurience

/ˈprʊriəns/ /ˈprʊərɪəns/

Definition:

Excessive interest in sexual matters; lasciviousness or lewdness.

Synonyms:

Lustfulness, lechery, salaciousness, lasciviousness

Part of Speech:

Noun

Antonyms:

Chastity, modesty

Common Collocations:

Prurience of mind, prurience in literature, prurience in media

Derivatives:

Prurient, pruriently

Usage Tips:

Use "prurience" to describe an unhealthy focus on sexual content, often with moral disapproval.

Common Phrases:

Prurience of the flesh, veil of prurience, indulge in prurience

Etymology:

From Latin *prūrient-*, meaning "itching" or "longing," reflecting an obsessive desire.

Examples:

  • 1. The novel was criticized for its unnecessary prurience.
  • 2. His prurience made others uncomfortable during conversations.
  • 3. The film avoided cheap prurience and focused on storytelling.
  • 4. She dismissed the gossip as mere prurience.

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