promiscuity
UK: /ˌprɒmɪˈskjuːɪti/ | US: /ˌprɑːmɪˈskjuːəti/
n. the state or quality of having frequent and diverse sexual relationships
n. (archaic) indiscriminate mixing or mingling of elements
Derived from Latin promiscuus ("mixed, indiscriminate"), combining pro- (forward, broadly) + miscere (to mix). Originally described general mixing (e.g., social classes), later specialized to sexual context in the 19th century. The suffix -ity forms abstract nouns indicating state/quality.
Victorian literature often condemned promiscuity as moral decay.
The study examined links between promiscuity and social stigma.
Early biologists observed promiscuity in certain animal species.
Critics accused the novel of glorifying sexual promiscuity.
The term’s shift from "general mixing" to "sexual behavior" reflects cultural biases.