concupiscent
/kən'kju:pisənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Characterized by strong sexual desire; lustful: "concupiscent" describes a state of intense or ardent longing, particularly of a sexual nature. It denotes powerful sensual appetite or passion.
- Vigorously passionate: The term can also imply a more general, vigorous intensity of desire or passion, though its primary connotation is sexual.
Usage and Examples
- Adjective:
- The novel's antagonist was driven by a concupiscent obsession that led to his downfall.
- He gave her a concupiscent look that made her feel uncomfortable.
- The poet described the concupiscent yearning of the characters with vivid imagery.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Literary and Formal Context: "Concupiscent" is a formal, literary word often found in psychological, philosophical, or artistic discussions about desire, rather than in everyday conversation.
- Philosophical/Religious Context: In theological discourse, it can refer to the human inclination toward sin, especially sensual appetite, as distinguished from pure or rational love.
- The doctrine explored the conflict between spiritual love and concupiscent desire.
Variants and Related Words
- Concupiscence (noun): The state of being concupiscent; ardent, usually sensual, longing.
- His actions were motivated by pure concupiscence.
- Concupiscible (adjective, archaic): Capable of being desired; pertaining to concupiscence.
Synonyms
- Lustful: Having or showing strong feelings of sexual desire.
- Lascivious: Feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire.
- Libidinous: Showing excessive sexual drive; lustful.
- Lecherous: Having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire.
- Passionate: Showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief. (Note: This is a broader synonym that lacks the specifically sexual connotation of "concupiscent").
Antonyms
- Chaste: Abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse.
- Asexual: Without sexual feelings or associations.
- Platonic: (Of love or friendship) intimate and affectionate but not sexual.
- Ascetic: Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
Adjective
- vigorously passionate