libertine
UK: ˈlɪbətiːn | US: ˈlɪbərˌtiːn
n. a person who freely indulges in sensual pleasures without moral restraint
n. (historical) a freethinker in matters of religion
libertine = liber<free> + tine<noun suffix>
- liber (from Latin liber, meaning "free")
- tine (a suffix derived from Latin -tinus, often forming nouns denoting a person associated with a quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word libertine traces back to the Latin libertinus, meaning "freedman" (a former slave granted freedom). Over time, it evolved in French (libertin) to describe someone who rejected moral or religious constraints, emphasizing intellectual or sensual freedom. By the 16th century, it specifically denoted individuals who flouted societal norms, particularly in pleasure-seeking. The root liber ("free") reflects the word’s core idea of unrestrained behavior.
The 18th-century aristocrat was notorious as a libertine, hosting lavish parties.
Critics accused the poet of being a libertine due to his scandalous lifestyle.
In literature, the libertine often symbolizes rebellion against Puritan values.
The term libertine originally referred to freethinkers before acquiring its modern connotation.
His memoirs revealed the double life of a respected scholar and a secret libertine.