sexual intercourse
/ˈsɛkʃuəl ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
noun
Origin
Latin
intercursus — a running between, intervention
Overview
Meaning Now
- The act of physical union between two individuals, typically involving the penetration of the vagina by the penis, for the purpose of reproduction or sexual gratification.
Literal older meaning
social communication or interchange of a sexual nature
Language path
Latin → Middle English → English
Earliest form
intercours
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The term 'intercourse' originally referred broadly to 'social exchange' or 'communication' (as seen in phrases like 'intercourse of ideas'). Its specific association with the sexual act began to solidify as a formal euphemism in the 19th century, replacing more explicit terminology in medical and legal discourse.
Evolution
- Latin, 1st century AD
intercursus
“intervention, interposition”
- Middle English, 15th century
intercours
“communication, commerce, traffic”
- Early Modern English, 17th century
intercourse
“social dealings or contact between people”
- English, 19th century
sexual intercourse
“physical sexual act”
Euphemistic shift from general social interaction to sexual contact.
Connections
Word parts
sex-
root
referring to gender or sex
-ual
suffix
relating to
inter-
prefix
between
cours
root
to run
Related across languages
French
intercourse
communication, dealings
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Related to sexual intercourse
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.