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celibacy

 - 3 dictionary results

cel⋅i⋅ba⋅cy

  [sel-uh-buh-see]
Use celibacy in a Sentence
–noun
1. abstention from sexual relations.
2. abstention by vow from marriage: the celibacy of priests.
3. the state of being unmarried.
Origin:
1655–65; < L caelibā(tus) celibacy (caelib-, s. of caelebs single + -ātus -ate 3 ) + -cy

Related forms:
cel⋅i⋅bat⋅ic  [sel-uh-bat-ik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To celibacy
cel·i·ba·cy   (sěl'ə-bə-sē)   
n.  

  1. Abstinence from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows.

  2. The condition of being unmarried.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

celibacy 
1663, formed in Eng. from L. cælibatus "state of being unmarried," from cælebs "unmarried," from PIE base *kaiwelo- "alone" + lib(h)s- "living." Celibate first recorded 1829.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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