Word Origin & History
lascivious
c.1425, from L.L. lasciviosus (used in a scolding sense by Isidore and other early Church writers), from L. lascivia "lewdness, playfulness," from lascivus "lewd, playful," from PIE *las-ko-, from *las- "to be eager, wanton, or unruly" (cf. Skt. -lasati "yearns," lasati "plays, frolics," Hittite ilaliya- "to desire, covet," Gk. laste "harlot," O.C.S. laska "flattery," Slovak laska "love," O.Ir. lainn "greedy," Goth. lustus, O.E. lust "lust").