frigidity

English

Etymology

From Middle English frigiditee, frigidite, a borrowing from Middle French frigidité, itself a borrowing from Latin frīgiditātem, accusative of Latin frīgiditās.

Pronunciation

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Noun

frigidity (countable and uncountable, plural frigidities)

1. The state of being frigid; coldness; lack of heat.

   Synonyms: iciness, coldness

2. Coldness of feeling, manner or quality; lack of ardor, animation or vivacity.

   Synonyms: chilliness, dullness

3. Lack of natural heat and vigor of body; impotency.
   • 1650, Thomas Browne, “Of the Cameleon”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC, 3rd book, page 133:

     It cannot be denied it [the chameleon] is (if not the moſt of any) a very abſtemious animall, and ſuch as by reaſon of its frigidity, paucity of bloud, and latitancy in the winter (about which time the obſervations are often made) will long ſubſist without a viſible ſuſtentation.

4. Lack of or low sex drive; a persistent inability to become aroused or achieve sexual satisfaction.
   • 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 232:

     In France, Mme. de Pompadour was induced by Louis XV to eat such testicles in order to break down her frigidity.

   • 1983 February 12, John Zeh, “Epilepsy”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 29, page 4:

     An epileptic lover may (slightly) experience […] sporadic impotence/frigidity.

Translations

the state of being frigid

• German: Frigidität (de) f
• Italian: frigidità (it) f
• Latin: frīgiditās f
• Turkish: soğukluk (tr)

  Ottoman Turkish: صوغوقلق (soğukluk)

References

• William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “frigidity”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.