Homosexuality
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
- 1 The state of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to persons of the same sex, sometimes (potentially offensive) restricted to same-sex attraction between males. uncountable
"Great diminution or complete absence of sexual feeling for the opposite sex, with substitution of sexual feeling and instinct for the same sex. (Homo-sexuality, or contrary sexual instinct)."
- 2 a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex wordnet
- 3 Sexual activity with a person of the same sex, sometimes (potentially offensive) restricted to same-sex sex between males. uncountable
"Bourneville believes that 75 per cent. of the inmates of the Parisian venereal hospitals have practised homosexuality."
Example
More examples"The anti-rational, anti-justice and anti-humane Christian malignancy is rearing its head yet again as it leads the fight against homosexuality on behalf of the divine trinity of unreason, injustice and hate."
Etymology
From homosexual + -ity, equivalent to homo- + sexuality and after the model of German Homosexualität, coined by journalist Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1869, and French homosexualité, attested in 1891.