incest
UK: ˈɪnsɛst | US: ˈɪnsɛst
n. Sexual intercourse between individuals too closely related to legally marry (e.g., parent-child, siblings).
n. A taboo or morally prohibited relationship within a family or close kinship group.
incest = in<not> + cest<pure>
- in (Latin prefix): Negation, meaning "not."
- cest (from Latin castus): Meaning "pure" or "chaste."
Etymology Origin:
The word "incest" originates from Latin incestus, combining in- (not) + castus (pure). It reflects the ancient societal view that such relationships violated purity norms, particularly in Roman law and religious contexts. The term evolved through Old French (inceste) into Middle English, retaining its core meaning of impurity in kinship relations.
Many cultures have strict laws prohibiting incest.
The novel explores the psychological impact of incest within a royal family.
Anthropologists study how societies define and punish incest.
Incest was considered a grave sin in medieval Europe.
The taboo against incest is nearly universal across human societies.