Dictionary entry

Venereal

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Ve‐ne″re‐al (?), a. [L. venereus, venerius, fr. Venus, Veneris, Venus, the goddess of love. See Venerate.] 1. Of or pertaining to venery, or sexual love; relating to sexual intercourse.

Into the snare I fell

Of fair, fallacious looks, venereal trains,

Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life. Milton.

2. (Med.) (a) Arising from sexual intercourse; as, a venereal disease; venereal virus or poison. (b) Adapted to the cure of venereal diseases; as, venereal medicines.

3. Adapted to excite venereal desire; aphrodisiac.

4. Consisting of, or pertaining to, copper, formerly called by chemists Venus. Boyle.