fornicate

/ˈfɔɹ.nɪˌkeɪt/

UK: /ˈfɔː.nɪˌkeɪt/

FƆɹ · nɪkeɪt (2 syllables)

English Verb Top 40,987

Definition

To engage in fornication.

Etymology

First attested in 1552; borrowed from Latin fornicātus, perfect active participle of fornicor (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from fornix (“arch, vault; brothel”). It was customary for courtesans of the era to wait for their customers out of the rain in arched passageways.