Middle English Dictionary Entry
venerī(e n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | venerī(e n.(1) |
| Etymology | AL veneria lust; also cp. L venerea pl. sexual intercourse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Sexual activity or desire.
Associated quotations
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)96/5 : Eyen torned vp-ward sheweth…a man yove to vices and venery [L veneri].
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)112/3 : Who so hath a grete wombe, he is like to be vndiscrete, folissh and proude, and lovyng venerie.
- ?a1500 Burgeys thou (Hrl 7578)29 : Whanne thou lay atte the stronde, haue remembraunce Oones howe þat ye tooke a maladie…And alle was for excesse of venerye.