3 ms·
In short, "seduce" comes from the Latin "seducere" meaning to "lead away, lead aside or astray" [0]. The meaning is not specifically sexual. [0] https://www.et
by lo_zamoyski 11mo ago
In short, "seduce" comes from the Latin "seducere" meaning to "lead away, lead aside or astray" [0]. The meaning is not specifically sexual.
[0] https://www.etymonline.com/word/seduce https://www.etymonline.com/word/seduce
- o11c 11mo agoI know that the word was used in non-sexual contexts, but was it really original or by analogy like it often is today? And that source seems wrong when claiming sexual use is modern, since it absolutely is used in sexual contexts in Latin, e.g. in Augustine's Confessions.
- lo_zamoyski 11mo ago> it absolutely is used in sexual contexts in Latin, e.g. in Augustine's Confessions How is it used, and are you referring to the original Latin, or a translation? Since seduction includes sexual seduction by virtue of its generality, he could have used the word to mean sexual seduction specifically. If the context is clear, you can omit the adjective. Given that Augustine does talk about his sexual decadence prior to his conversion, I can imagine him using the unqualified "seduce" to mean the specifically sexual, which would be apparent from context.