Lust: A Dictionary for the Insatiable Read online

  nooner

  (NOO-ner)

  NOUN: An often impromptu sexual dalliance that occurs in the middle of the day.

  nubile

  (NOO-byl)

  ADJECTIVE: Sexually attractive and mature.

  nude

  (nood)

  ADJECTIVE OR NOUN: As an adjective, unclothed. As a noun, a statue or painting of a naked human.

  nuptial

  (NUHP-shul)

  ADJECTIVE: Pertaining to marriage or one’s marital vows; matrimonial.

  nuzzle

  (NUHZ-uhl)

  VERB: To show affection by rubbing one’s nose in a playful manner on another person or thing.

  nymph

  (nimf)

  NOUN: A beautiful young woman.

  nymphet

  (nim-FET)

  NOUN: A young girl—typically in her early teens—who exudes sexual desire and, as such, attracts it from men.

  nymphomaniac

  (nim-fuh-MAY-nee-ak)

  NOUN: A woman possessing an excessively uncontrollable desire for sex.

  Cassandra proved herself to be a true NYPHOMANIAC, choosing to spend the entire vacation away in the bedroom with her lover.

  O

  obscene

  (uhb-SEEN)

  ADJECTIVE: Lewd and offensive; not suitable for public consumption because of its disregard for basic humanity or morals.

  Unable to contain their lustful passion, the couple chose to do the OBSCENE and make love right there in the park’s woods, visible to anyone who happened to walk by.

  obscenity

  (uhb-SEN-i-tee)

  NOUN: Something—including a word or phrase—that is morally reprehensible.

  obsession

  (uhb-SESH-uhn)

  NOUN: A fascination with a person, thing, or idea that fully occupies one’s mind; fixation.

  off-color

  (awf-KUHL-er)

  ADJECTIVE: Uncouth, particularly in relation to something that is sexually suggestive.

  ogle

  (OH-guhl)

  VERB: To eyeball someone in a flirtatious way in order to convey one’s attraction.

  I know love and lust

  don’t always keep

  the same company.

  —STEPHENIE MEYER

  one-night stand

  (WUHN-nyt stand)

  NOUN: A one-time sexual engagement with someone.

  orgasm

  (AWR-gaz-uhm)

  NOUN: The physical and emotional climax experienced at the peak of sexual excitement; the word can also be used as a verb to describe the process of experiencing an orgasm.

  orgiastic

  (awr-jee-AS-tik)

  ADJECTIVE: Marked by debauchery or licentiousness; in the spirit of an orgy.

  orgy

  (AWR-jee)

  NOUN: A wild gathering characterized by unrestrained, hedonistic behavior, including promiscuous sex and excessive drinking.

  Between the sexual energy in the air and the bottles of wine being finished, it was only a matter of time before the clothes started coming off and the intimate get-together turned into a wild ORGY.

  osculate

  (OS-kyuh-layt)

  VERB: To come together; to kiss.

  oversexed

  (OH-ver-SEKST)

  ADJECTIVE: Demonstrating a preoccupation with sex.

  P

  paramour

  (PAR-uh-moor)

  NOUN: A lover, particularly one involved in an adulterous relationship.

  paraphilia

  (par-uh-FIL-ee-uh)

  NOUN: A predilection for deviant sexual practices, such as sadomasochism or fetishism.

  pareunia

  (pah-roo-NEE-ah)

  NOUN: Sexual intercourse.

  passion

  (PASH-uhn)

  NOUN: An overwhelming emotion, such as love or hatred; intense sexual desire; the object of one’s interest.

  The PASSION Richard possessed for Scarlet could not be contained and became palpable as the two moved from the table where they enjoyed dinner upstairs to his bed.

  peccable

  (PEK-uh-buhl)

  ADJECTIVE: Having a tendency to fall prey to temptation; sinful.

  Peeping Tom

  (PEE-ping tom)

  NOUN: A voyeur.

  penchant

  (PEN-chuhnt)

  NOUN: A strong fondness or liking for something.

  perversion

  (per-VUR-zhuhn)

  NOUN: A sexual practice or proclivity that is considered deviant.

  petting

  (PET-ing)

  VERB: To fondle or caress in an effort to attain sexual satisfaction but without intercourse.

  phallic

  (FAL-ik)

  ADJECTIVE: Resembling a penis.

  philanderer

  (fi-LAN-der-er)

  NOUN: A man who cheats on his significant other.

  Good gossip is just what’s going on. Bad gossip is stuff that is salacious, mean,

  and bitchy—the kind most people really enjoy.

  —LIZ SMITH

  pine

  (pyn)

  VERB: To long for or yearn, particularly for something that is out of one’s reach; languish.

  As days turned into weeks, the two young lovers PINED for one another, and their longing could not be tempered by the handwritten love letters they sent each day.

  pique

  (peek)

  VERB: To arouse one’s interest or curiosity in something.

  playboy

  (PLAY-boy)

  NOUN: A man who plays the field and dates many women at one time.

  player

  (PLAY-er)

  NOUN: A man or woman who engages in a series of brief romantic relationships, often dating several people at the same time.

  pleasure

  (PLEZH-er)

  NOUN: A feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction; sexual gratification.

  polyamory

  (POL-ee-AY-muh-ree)

  NOUN: Engagement in multiple sexual relationships at one time.

  polygamous

  (puh-LIG-uh-muhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Having more than one wife at the same time.

  polymorphous perverse

  (pol-ee-MAWR-fuhs per-VURS)

  ADJECTIVE: Exhibiting immature sexual tendencies where one’s genitals are not the source of erotic stimulation.

  pornography

  (pawr-NOG-ruh-fee)

  NOUN: Sexually explicit materials in the form of movies, magazines, photos, and more.

  postcoital

  (post-KOH-ih-tuhl)

  ADJECTIVE: Occurring after sexual intercourse.

  While Anne enjoys every second of ecstasy that comes with sex, what really drives her wild are the POSTCOITAL moments right after climax when she’s in her partner’s arms.

  predilection

  (pred-ih-LEK-shuhn)

  NOUN: An penchant or preference for something; inclination.

  priapism

  (PRY-uh-piz-uhm)

  NOUN: A medical condition in which the penis remains erect but in the absence of sexual arousal.

  private parts

  (PRY-vit pahrts)

  NOUN: One’s external genital organs.

  proclivity

  (proh-KLIV-ih-tee)

  NOUN: An inclination or tendency.

  procreate

  (PROH-kree-ayt)

  VERB: Sexual relations for the purpose of reproduction.

  promiscuous

  (pruh-MIS-kyoo-uhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Engaged in a series of indiscriminate sexual relationships.

  prophylactic

  (proh-fuh-LAK-tik)

  NOUN: A condom or other device meant to prevent disease or conception during sex.

  prostitution

  (pros-ti-TOO-shuhn)

  NOUN: The act of exchanging sexual acts for money or other financial gain.

  provoke

  (pruh-VOHK)

/>   VERB: To incite or induce one to action; instigate.

  prurient

  (PROOR-ee-uhnt)

  ADJECTIVE: Characterized by unwholesome or lustful thoughts.

  pudendum

  (pyoo-DEN-duhm)

  NOUN: External genital organs, particularly those of the female.

  pulchritudinous

  (puhl-kri-TOOD-n-uhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Physically beautiful; comely.

  Q and R

  quickie

  (KWIK-ee)

  NOUN: An activity that is performed in a hurry, especially a sexual act that is completed without pretense or foreplay.

  In the first few weeks of their courtship, it was impossible for the couple to keep their hands off one another—and they would often visit each other’s workplace to steal away for a QUICKIE.

  racy

  (RAY-see)

  ADJECTIVE: Slightly sexual or risqué.

  rake

  (rayk)

  NOUN: A licentious man; womanizer.

  randy

  (RAN-dee)

  ADJECTIVE: Sexually aroused; lustful.

  rapture

  (RAP-cher)

  NOUN: A state of euphoria or bliss; ecstasy.

  Only a struggle twists sentimentality and lust together into love.

  —E. M. FORSTER

  raunchy

  (RAWN-chee)

  ADJECTIVE: Obscene or bawdy; vulgar.

  ravenous

  (RAV-uh-nuhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Extremely hungry or greedy; voracious.

  ravish

  (RAV-ish)

  VERB: To present someone with an overwhelming burst of passion or emotion; to force or coerce someone into having sexual relations (the phrase can be used in consensual relationships to indicate the man is the one instigating).

  rekindle

  (ree-KIN-dl)

  VERB: To reignite; to light afire something that has burned out.

  relish

  (REL-ish)

  VERB: To enjoy or savor something that brings one pleasure.

  revelry

  (REV-uhl-ree)

  NOUN: A noisy celebration that often includes excessive eating, drinking, and frivolity.

  The newlywed’s bedroom REVELRY could be heard loud and clear through the open balcony door.

  ribald

  (RIB-uhld)

  ADJECTIVE: Behaving in a vulgar or coarse manner, but often meant in a humorous way.

  risqué

  (ri-SKAY)

  ADJECTIVE: Indecent or racy.

  roué

  (roo-AY)

  NOUN: A man who leads a life of debauchery, filled with drinking, gambling, and women.

  ruttish

  (RUHT-ish)

  ADJECTIVE: Lascivious or salacious.

  S

  sadism

  (SAY-diz-uhm)

  NOUN: Attaining sexual satisfaction by inflicting pain on one’s partner; cruelty.

  salacious

  (suh-LAY-shuhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Prone to incite sexual arousal or titillation; possessing lewd sexual interests.

  saturnalia

  (sat-er-NAY-lee-uh)

  NOUN: A rowdy party or orgy.

  satyriasis

  (sey-tuh-RY-uh-sis)

  NOUN: Uncontrollable male compulsion to have sex with as many individuals as possible.

  saucy

  (SAW-see)

  ADJECTIVE: Brazen or forward, though often meant in a humorous manner.

  scabrous

  (SKAB-ruhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Referring to sex in an obscene or risqué fashion; scandalous.

  scandalous

  (SKAN-dl-uhs)

  ADJECTIVE: Shameful or improper; shocking.

  seduction

  (si-DUHK-shuhn)

  NOUN: Persuasive behaviors—be they romantic or deceptive—that lead one person to have sex with another or be tempted in some other way.

  Samantha’s game of playing hard to get is part of her SEDUCTION; choosing to play it cool only makes her partners want her more and the sex that much hotter.

  self-gratification

  (SELF-grat-uh-fi-KEY-shuhn)

  NOUN: The act of satisfying one’s own desires, particularly as it relates to sexual desires.

  sensualist

  (SEN-shoo-uh-list)

  NOUN: One who lives his or her life in pursuit of luxury and pleasure.

  sex drive

  (seks dryv)

  NOUN: One’s individual level of need for sexual interactions; libido.

  sex play

  (seks play)

  NOUN: Touching of an erotic nature that typical precedes intercourse; foreplay.

  sexpert

  (seks-spurt)

  NOUN: An expert in matters related to sex, sometimes self-described.

  sexual urge

  (SEK-shoo-uhl urj)

  NOUN: An overwhelming carnal desire or preference.

  sexy

  (SEK-see)

  ADJECTIVE: A somewhat indefinable quality that makes an object or person sexually desirous to another.

  shack up

  (shak uhp)

  VERB: To live together without being married; cohabitate.

  shameless

  (SHAYM-lis)

  ADJECTIVE: Feeling a lack of embarrassment or humiliation in a situation where societal norms would call for it; unashamed.

  shapely

  (SHAYP-lee)

  ADJECTIVE: An attractive bodily shape that inspires desire in others.

  The lounge singer’s SHAPELY silhouette grabbed the audience’s attention as she began performing behind the stage’s thin curtain.

  sinful

  (SIN-fuhl)

  ADJECTIVE: Something that is characterized by unethical or contemptible behavior; wicked.

  siren

  (SY-ruhn)

  NOUN: From Greek mythology, a siren is a beautiful young woman who tempts men with her seductive ways.

  skirt chaser

  (skurt CHAY-ser)

  NOUN: A man in constant pursuit of women; womanizer.

  slattern

  (SLAT-ern)

  NOUN: A promiscuous woman; slut.

  sleep around

  (sleep uh-ROUND)

  VERB: Engaging in a promiscuous lifestyle.

  He understood the reputation he was receiving due to all his SLEEPING AROUND, but the young man could not help himself from hopping into a different bed almost every day of the week.

  slut

  (sluht)

  NOUN: A derogatory term for a promiscuous person, most often a woman.

  The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest,

  and then becomes a host, and then a master.

  —KAHLIL GIBRAN

  smooch

  (smooch)

  VERB: To kiss.

  smutty

  (SMUHT-ee)

  ADJECTIVE: Indecent or pornographic.

  snuggle

  (SNUHG-uhl)

  VERB: To cuddle with another person in a comfortable manner; nestle.

  softcore

  (SAWFT-KAWR)

  ADJECTIVE: Sexually arousing material that is not explicit.

  spicy

  (SPY-see)

  ADJECTIVE: Somewhat risqué or scandalous.

  spoon

  (spoon)

  VERB: To cuddle or nestle with another person very closely.