Adjacent Words

Aphrodisiac definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

APHRODIS'IAC,
APHRODISI'ACAL, a. [Gr. venereal, Venus, from froth.]
Exciting venereal desire; increasing the appetite for sexual connection.
APHRODIS'IAC, n. A provocative to venery.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: exciting sexual desire [syn: aphrodisiac, aphrodisiacal, sexy] [ant: anaphrodisiac] n
1: a drug or other agent that stimulates sexual desire

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Greek aphrodisiakos sexual, gem with aphrodisiac properties, from aphrodisia heterosexual pleasures, from neuter plural of aphrodisios of Aphrodite, from Aphrodit? Date: 1719 1. an agent (as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire 2. something that excites • aphrodisiac also aphrodisiacal adjective

Britannica Concise

Any of various forms of stimulation thought to arouse sexual excitement. They may be psychophysiological (arousing the senses of sight, touch, smell, or hearing) or internal (e.g., foods, alcoholic drinks, drugs, love potions, medicinal preparations). Most foods traditionally believed to be aphrodisiacs have no chemical components that would have such an effect. In some cases, their reputation may be based on a supposed resemblance to genitalia (e.g., ginseng root, rhinoceros horn). Drugs such as alcohol or marijuana may lead to sexual excitation by lessening the user's inhibitions. Few medical studies have been conducted; the only substances medically recognized as aphrodisiacs are extremely hazardous to the health.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. & n. --adj. that arouses sexual desire. --n. an aphrodisiac drug. Etymology: Gk aphrodisiakos f. aphrodisios f. Aphrodite Gk goddess of love

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Aphrodisiac Aph`ro*dis"i*ac, Aphrodisiacal Aph`ro*di*si"a*cal, a. [Gr. ? pertaining to sensual love, fr. ?. See Aphrodite.] Exciting venereal desire; provocative to venery.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Aphrodisiac Aph`ro*dis"i*ac, n. That which (as a drug, or some kinds of food) excites to venery.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(aphrodisiacs) An aphrodisiac is a food, drink, or drug which is said to make people want to have sex. Asparagus is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. N-COUNT