aphrodisiac

aph·ro·di·si·ac

noun \ˌa-frə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak, -ˈdi-zē-\

Definition of APHRODISIAC

1

: an agent (as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire

2

: something that excites

— aphrodisiac also aph·ro·di·si·a·cal \ˌa-frə-di-ˈsī-ə-kəl, -ˈzī-\ adjective

Origin of APHRODISIAC

Greek aphrodisiakos sexual, gem with aphrodisiac properties, from aphrodisia heterosexual pleasures, from neuter plural of aphrodisios of Aphrodite, from Aphroditē

First Known Use: 1719

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with APHRODISIAC

Anglophiliac, coprophiliac, Dionysiac, dipsomaniac, egomaniac, hemophiliac, hypochondriac, intracardiac, kleptomaniac, melancholiac, monomaniac, mythomaniac, necrophiliac, neophiliac, nymphomaniac, paraphiliac, pedophiliac, pyromaniac, sacroiliac, sal ammoniac

aphrodisiac

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of various forms of stimulation thought to arouse sexual excitement. They may be psychophysiological (arousing the senses of sight, touch, smell, or hearing) or internal (e.g., foods, alcoholic drinks, drugs, love potions, medicinal preparations). Most foods traditionally believed to be aphrodisiacs have no chemical components that would have such an effect. In some cases, their reputation may be based on a supposed resemblance to genitalia (e.g., ginseng root, rhinoceros horn). Drugs such as alcohol or marijuana may lead to sexual excitation by lessening the user's inhibitions. Few medical studies have been conducted; the only substances medically recognized as aphrodisiacs are extremely hazardous to the health.