From Roman Arches to Sin: The Origin of the Word Fornication
In short
Fornication comes from Late Latin fornicatio, built on fornicari, itself from Latin fornix, an arch or vaulted chamber. In writers such as Horace and Juvenal, fornix came to mean a brothel, possibly because prostitutes worked under arches. The word reached English around 1300 through Old French fornicacion.
What the full article will cover
- What did the Latin word fornix mean?
- How did an arch come to mean a brothel?
- How did the word pass into Church Latin?
- When did fornication enter English?
- Is fornix related to the word furnace?
Frequently asked questions
- Is the fornix in anatomy the same word?
- When was fornication first used in English?
- Did fornication always mean sex outside marriage?
Sources
- etymonline.com — https://www.etymonline.com/word/fornication
- merriam-webster.com — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fornication
General information, not legal or religious advice.