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Definition of prurient - 5 dictionary results

pru⋅ri⋅ent

  [proor-ee-uhnt]
Use prurient in a Sentence
–adjective
1. having, inclined to have, or characterized by lascivious or lustful thoughts, desires, etc.
2. causing lasciviousness or lust.
3. having a restless desire or longing.
Origin:
1630–40; < L prūrient- (s. of prūriēns), prp. of prūrīre to itch

Related forms:
pru⋅ri⋅ence, pru⋅ri⋅en⋅cy, noun
pru⋅ri⋅ent⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pru·ri·ent   (prŏŏr'ē-ənt)   
adj.  
  1. Inordinately interested in matters of sex; lascivious.
    1. Characterized by an inordinate interest in sex: prurient thoughts.
    2. Arousing or appealing to an inordinate interest in sex: prurient literature.

[Latin prūriēns, prūrient-, present participle of prūrīre, to yearn for, itch; see preus- in Indo-European roots.]
pru'ri·ence, pru'ri·en·cy n., pru'ri·ent·ly adv.
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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Prurient

Pru"ri*ent\, a. [L. pruries, -entis, p. pr. of prurire to itch. Cf. Freeze.] Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious curiosity or propensity; lustful. -- Pru"ri*ent*ly, adv.

The eye of the vain and prurient is darting from object to object of illicit attraction. --I. Taylor.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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prurient 
1639, "itching," later "having an itching desire" (1653), esp. "lascivious, lewd," (1746), from L. prurientem (nom. pruriens), prp. of prurire "to itch, long for, be wanton," perhaps related to pruna "glowing coals."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pru·ri·ent
Pronunciation: 'prur-E-&nt
Function: adjective
: marked by or arousing an unwholesome sexual interest or desire —pru·ri·ent·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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