INCESTUOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Incestuous is an adjective that describes a close and illegitimate sexual relationship between individuals who are closely related by blood or marriage. It refers to a taboo and morally reprehensible act of engaging in sexual activity with a family member, such as a sibling, parent, or cousin. The term can also be used figuratively to depict intensely close relationships or connections that are considered inappropriate or detrimental due to their excessively intimate or exclusive nature.
Historically, societies across cultures have widely condemned and prohibited incestuous relationships due to the potential risks associated with genetic abnormalities and the violation of social norms. These cultural, legal, and moral sanctions reflect the general understanding that incest disrupts the boundaries and norms that typically regulate family relationships, often causing harm to all parties involved.
The term "incestuous" can also be applied metaphorically outside the context of family relationships. For instance, it can describe situations or organizations that are excessively insular, exclusive, or self-referential, resembling an echo chamber or a closed loop where ideas, influences, or power are continually recycled within the same group or network. This figurative usage suggests an unhealthy or dysfunctional cycle that lacks fresh perspectives and inhibits growth or progress.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of INCESTUOUS
The word "incestuous" originated from the Latin word "incestus", which itself was derived from the combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not" or "un-" and the noun "castus" meaning "pure" or "chaste". Hence, in Latin, "incestus" referred to any sexual act that was impure, inappropriate, or prohibited by religious or societal norms. This Latin term later evolved into "incestuous" in English, specifically denoting sexual relationships or activities between closely related individuals who are not permitted to engage in such relationships due to moral, social, or legal taboos.
Similar spelling words for INCESTUOUS
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