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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

pro·mis·cu·ous

Audio Help [pruh-mis-kyoo-uh

s] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	characterized by or involving indiscriminate mingling or association, esp. having sexual relations with a number of partners on a casual basis.

2.	consisting of parts, elements, or individuals of different kinds brought together without order.

3.	indiscriminate; without discrimination.

4.	casual; irregular; haphazard.

[Origin: 1595–1605; < L prōmiscuus mixed up, equiv. to prō- pro-¹ + misc(ére) to mix + -uus deverbal adj. suffix; see -ous

]

—Related forms

pro·mis·cu·ous·ly, adverb

pro·mis·cu·ous·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. unchaste. 2. hodgepodge, confused, mixed, jumbled. See miscellaneous. 3. careless.

—Antonyms 1, 2. pure. 3. selective.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
promiscuous

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pro·mis·cu·ous Audio Help (prə-mĭs'kyōō-əs) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Having casual sexual relations frequently with different partners; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners.
Lacking standards of selection; indiscriminate.
Casual; random.
Consisting of diverse, unrelated parts or individuals; confused: "Throngs promiscuous strew the level green" (Alexander Pope).

[From Latin prōmiscuus, possessed equally : prō-, intensive pref.; see pro-¹ + miscēre, to mix; see meik- in Indo-European roots.]

pro·mis'cu·ous·ly adv., pro·mis'cu·ous·ness n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
promiscuous

1603, "consisting of a disorderly mixture of people or things," from L. promiscuus "mixed, indiscriminate," from pro- "forward" + miscere "to mix" (see mix). Meaning "indiscriminate in sexual relations" first recorded 1900, from promiscuity (1849, "indiscriminate mixture;" sexual sense 1865), from Fr. promiscuité, from L. promiscuus.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

promiscuous
adjective
1.	not selective of a single class or person; "Clinton was criticized for his promiscuous solicitation of campaign money"
2.	casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior; "her easy virtue"; "he was told to avoid loose (or light) women"; "wanton behavior" [syn: easy]

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: pro·mis·cu·ous
Pronunciation: pr&-'mis-ky&-w&s
Function: adjective
: not restricted to one sexual partner

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Promiscuous

Pro*mis"cu*ous\, a. [L. promiscuus; pro before, in place of, for + miscere to mix. See Mix. ]

1. Consisting of individuals united in a body or mass without order; mingled; confused; undistinguished; as, a promiscuous crowd or mass.

A wild, where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot. --Pope.

2. Distributed or applied without order or discrimination; not restricted to an individual; common; indiscriminate; as, promiscuous love or intercourse.

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