orgasm
/ˈɔːrɡæzəm/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
ὀργᾶν — to swell, to become excited, to be lustful
Overview
Meaning Now
- A state of intense pleasure or physical release, typically occurring at the peak of sexual activity.
- A state of intense emotion or excitement.
Literal older meaning
swelling, bursting, or excitement
Language path
Ancient Greek → New Latin → English
Earliest form
orgasmus
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The word originally referred to a medical state of 'congestion' or 'fullness' in the body. It was not restricted to sexual function until later, when it was adopted to describe the peak of sexual tension and release, mirroring the concept of 'swelling' or 'fullness' resolving.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
ὀργασμός (orgasmos)
“swelling, excitement”
Derived from the verb orgao (to swell, be lustful).
- Late Latin/New Latin
orgasmus
“abnormal fullness or swelling of the body”
Adopted into medical Latin.
- English, 1600s
orgasm
“a state of excitement or congestion in an organ”
Initially used in a purely physiological, non-sexual context.
- English, 19th century
orgasm
“sexual climax”
Shifted to the modern specific biological sense.
Connections
Word parts
orgas-
root
swelling
-mos
suffix
process or result of
Related across languages
French
orgasme
orgasm
German
Orgasmus
orgasm
Explore next
Related to orgasm
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.