Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Nearby Words

incest

 - 7 dictionary results

in⋅cest

  [in-sest]
Use incest in a Sentence
–noun
1. sexual intercourse between closely related persons.
2. the crime of sexual intercourse, cohabitation, or marriage between persons within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity wherein marriage is legally forbidden.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME < L incestus (n.) sexual impurity, deriv. of incestus (adj.) profane, sexually impure (in- in- 3 + -cestus comb. form of castus chaste ), by analogy with v. nouns derived with -tus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To incest
in·cest   (ĭn'sěst')   
n.  

  1. Sexual relations between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal or forbidden by custom.

  2. The statutory crime of sexual relations with such a near relative.


[Middle English, from Latin incestum, from neuter of incestus, impure, unchaste : in-, not; see in-1 + castus, pure, chaste; see kes- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

incest

Sexual relations between relatives who are forbidden by law to marry; for example, between father and daughter or mother and son.

Note: Though each society has its own system for determining the range of people who fall into this category, every society has an incest taboo of some sort.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

incest 
c.1225, "the crime of sexual intercourse between near kindred," from L. incestum "unchastity," also specifically "sex between close relatives," noun use of neut. adj. incestus "unchaste, impure," from in- "not" + castus "pure" (see caste). In early use also in ref. to sexual relations or marriage with one under a vow of chastity (sometimes distinguished as spiritual incest).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·cest
Pronunciation: 'in-"sest
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin incestus sexual impurity, from incestus impure, from in- not + castus pure
: sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry; also : the crime of engaging in such sexual intercourse
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·cest
Pronunciation: 'in-"sest
Function: noun
: sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law tomarry; also : the statutory crime of engaging in such sexual intercourse
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

incest in·cest (ĭn'sěst')
n.

  1. Sexual relations between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal or forbidden by custom.

  2. The statutory crime of sexual relations with such a near relative.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see incest on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way