carnal knowledge

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English[edit]

Noun[edit]

carnal knowledge (uncountable)

  1. (archaic, chiefly law) Sexual intercourse.
    to have carnal knowledge of someone
    • 1785, [Francis Grose], “Knock”, in A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, London: [] S. Hooper, [], →OCLC:
      to knock a woman, to have carnal knowledge of her
    • 1836, Michael Ryan, A Manual of Medical Jurisprudence, 2nd edition, London: Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, page 309:
      The legal definition of rape, is the carnal knowledge of a woman by force, and against her will. The carnal knowledge of a child, under ten years of age, with or without her consent, is considered rape.

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