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

pru·ri·ent

Audio Help [proor-ee-uh

nt] Pronunciation Key

–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 prūriéns), prp. of prūrīre to itch

]

—Related forms

pru·ri·ence, pru·ri·en·cy, noun

pru·ri·ent·ly, adverb

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

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
prurient

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pru·ri·ent Audio Help (prŏŏr'ē-ənt) Pronunciation Key
adj.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

prurient
adjective
characterized by lust; "eluding the lubricious embraces of her employer"; "her sensuous grace roused his lustful nature"; "prurient literature"; "prurient thoughts"; "a salacious rooster of a little man" [syn: lubricious]

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

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.

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