pornography

nounobscenity

Synonyms for pornography

noun obscenity

Antonyms for pornography

Word Origin & History

1843, "ancient obscene painting, especially in temples of Bacchus," from French pornographie, from Greek pornographos "(one) depicting prostitutes," from porne "prostitute," originally "bought, purchased" (with an original notion, probably of "female slave sold for prostitution"), related to pernanai "to sell," from PIE root *per- (5) "to traffic in, to sell" (see price (n.)) + graphein "to write" (see -graphy). A brothel in ancient Greek was a porneion.

In reference to modern works by 1859 (originally French novels), later as a charge against native literature; sense of "obscene pictures" in modern times is from 1906. Also sometimes used late 19c. for "description of prostitutes" as a matter of public hygiene. The "Medical Archives" in 1873 proposed porniatria for "the lengthy and really meaningless expression 'social evil hospital' ...."

In ancient contexts, often paired with rhypography, "genre painting of low, sordid, or unsuitable subjects." Pornocracy (1860) is "the dominating influence of harlots," used specifically of the government of Rome during the first half of the 10th century by Theodora and her daughters. Pornotopia (1966) was coined to describe the ideal erotic-world of pornographic movies.

Example Sentences for pornography

Pornography, an eminent American jurist has pointed out, is distinguished by the "leer of the sensualist."

pornography

Synonyms for pornography

Antonyms for pornography

indecency

lewdness

obscenity

profaneness

raunch

pornography

Synonyms for pornography

Antonyms for pornography

More words related to pornography

dirt

indecency

lewdness

obscenity

profaneness

raunch