adultery

Definition

Sexual intercourse by a married person with someone other than their spouse. See more synonyms at Thesaurus:cuckoldry

Etymology

With change of suffix, from the Old French adultere (“violation of conjugal faith”) (in Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons, 12c.), a learnèd borrowing from Latin adulterium, from adulterō. Replaced the older form avoutrie, from the inherited Old French forms avouterie or aoulterie, while keeping its suffix. Compare French adultère (“adultery”). Displaced Old English ǣwbryċe. Not related to adult.

Example Sentences

• "She engaged in adultery because her spouse has a low libido, while hers is very high."
• "So also that copulation which in one City is Matrimony, in another will be judged Adultery."
• "Under modern statutory law, some courts hold that the unmarried participant isn't guilty of adultery (that only the married participant is)"

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