erogenous

erogenous
erogenous formed 1889 from Gk. eros "sexual love" (see EROS (Cf. Eros)) + English -GENOUS (Cf. -genous) "producing." A slightly earlier variant was erogenic (1887), from Fr. érogénique. Both, as OED laments, are improperly formed. Erogenous zone attested by 1905.
In this connection reference may be made to the well-known fact that in some hysterical subjects there are so-called "erogenous zones" simple pressure on which suffices to evoke the complete orgasm. There is, perhaps, some significance, from our present point of view, in the fact that, as emphasized by Savill ("Hysterical Skin Symptoms," Lancet, January 30 1904) the skin is one of the very best places to study hysteria. [Havelock Ellis, "Studies in the Psychology of Sex," 1914]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • erogenous — adj. 1. causing sexual excitement when stimulated. [PJC] 2. relating to or arousing sexual excitement. [PJC] || …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • erogenous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ (of a part of the body) sensitive to sexual stimulation. ORIGIN from EROS(Cf. ↑Eros) …   English terms dictionary

  • erogenous — [er΄ō jen′ikē räj′ə nəs, iräj′ə nəs] adj. [< Gr erōs, love + GENOUS] designating or of those areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation: also erogenic [er΄ō jen′ik] …   English World dictionary

  • erogenous — adjective a) Sensitive to sexual arousal. His neck, shoulders, upper back, and spine were erogenous zones. b) Causing sexual arousal, erotogenic. See Also: erogenous zone …   Wiktionary

  • erogenous — [[t]ɪrɒ̱ʤɪnəs[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n An erogenous part of your body is one where sexual pleasure can be felt or caused. [FORMAL] Your body contains many erogenous zones, areas that lead to a feeling of sexual excitement when they are caressed …   English dictionary

  • erogenous — erogeneity /i roj euh nee i tee/, n. /i roj euh neuhs/, adj. 1. especially sensitive to sexual stimulation, as certain areas of the body: erogenous zones. 2. arousing or tending to arouse sexual desire; sexually stimulating. Also, erogenic /er… …   Universalium

  • erogenous — adj. Erogenous is used with these nouns: ↑zone …   Collocations dictionary

  • erogenous — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. erotic (see sex). II (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) (VOCABULARY WORD) a. [i ROJ uh nus] pertaining to parts of the body that can be aroused by sexual stimulation. Erogenous zones are rich in nerve… …   English dictionary for students

  • erogenous — e•rog•e•nous [[t]ɪˈrɒdʒ ə nəs[/t]] also er•o•gen•ic [[t]ˌɛr əˈdʒɛn ɪk[/t]] adj. 1) particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation, as certain areas of the body: erogenous zones[/ex] 2) tending to arouse sexual desire • Etymology: 1885–90; < Gk… …   From formal English to slang

  • Erogenous zone — An erogenous zone is an area of the human body that has heightened sensitivity and stimulation of which normally results in sexual response. There is individual variation in sensitive areas, Fact|date=January 2008, but the majority of men and… …   Wikipedia

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