Definitions Related words Mentions History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Libidinous (AI summary)

The term "libidinous" is often employed in literature to evoke a sense of unbridled sexual desire and intense sensuality. Authors use it both to describe characters driven by raw, animalistic passion and to imbue scenes with an almost tangible erotic charge. In certain narratives, it underscores an overt, almost pagan lust, as when a writer depicts a heathen idol with small eyes and a consuming, inflammatory expression [1] or portrays vivid libidinous desires that reignite physical passion [2, 3]. Psychoanalytic writings explore the notion further, associating libidinous drives with both the subject's inner life and manifest behavior [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. The word can also characterize figures whose very nature seems dictated by lust, as seen in accounts of tyrannical figures or those whose libidinous propensities spill over into their public conduct [11, 12, 13]. Whether illustrating overt eroticism or the innermost workings of desire, "libidinous" serves as a versatile and evocative descriptor, imbuing the narrative with a charged, often provocative, intensity [14, 15, 16, 17].
  1. The face of a libidinous heathen idol, small eyed, with carven folds in the heavy jowls, and a consuming, pagan license in its expression.
    — from Roads of Destiny by O. Henry
  2. The excessively voluptuous nature of her inward pressures soon re-illuminated all my libidinous desires, and refired my prick with renewed force.
    — from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous
  3. Her face was flushed, her eye shone with all the fire of libidinous passion.
    — from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous
  4. The capacity for directing libidinous occupation with objects towards persons as well must also be accorded to all normal persons.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  5. There is something else that makes the symptoms appear remarkable and inexplicable as a means of libidinous satisfaction.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  6. What powers are these which interpose objections to libidinous desire, who are the other parties to the pathological conflict?
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  7. But in the state of being completely in love, altruism and libidinous occupation with an object clash.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  8. But once upon a time this pain was real, a direct sexual toxic symptom, the physical expression of libidinous excitation.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  9. So dream-study is the easiest approach to a knowledge of the libidinous suppressed unconscious which has been withdrawn from the ego.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  10. When we speak of egoism we mean only the benefits to the individual; if we speak of narcism we also take into account his libidinous satisfaction.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  11. Ferrand, The libidinous Tyrant of Naples.
    — from Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10 by John Fletcher
  12. In a word, there is no Head so full of Stratagems as that of a Libidinous Man.
    — from The Spectator, Volume 2. by Steele, Richard, Sir
  13. Something I cannot see puts upward libidinous prongs, Seas of bright juice suffuse heaven.
    — from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
  14. A libidinous expectancy was as heavy as a thick scent in the night.
    — from The Mating of the Moons by Bryce Walton
  15. She came, and we passed another most delicious night of every salacious and libidinous enjoyment.
    — from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous
  16. Of course, he was instantly changed for another, and we saw no more of him, to the sad disappointment of our then libidinous hopes.
    — from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous
  17. She displayed and exercised her libidinous passions to the utmost.
    — from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux