sodomy

sod·omy

noun \ˈsä-də-mē\

Definition of SODOMY

: anal or oral copulation with a member of the same or opposite sex; also : copulation with an animal

— sod·om·it·ic \ˌsä-də-ˈmi-tik\ or sod·om·it·i·cal \-ti-kəl\ adjective

Origin of SODOMY

Middle English, from Anglo-French sodomie, from Late Latin Sodoma Sodom; from the homosexual proclivities of the men of the city in Genesis 19:1–11

First Known Use: 13th century

sod·omy

noun \ˈsäd-ə-mē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; sod·om·ies

Medical Definition of SODOMY

: anal or oral copulation with a member of the same or opposite sex; also : copulation with an animal

—sod·om·it·ic \ˌsäd-ə-ˈmit-ik\ (audio pronunciation) or sod·om·it·i·cal \-i-kəl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

sodomy

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Noncoital carnal copulation. Sodomy is a crime in some jurisdictions. Some sodomy laws, particularly in Middle Eastern countries and those jurisdictions observing Shari'ah law, provide penalties as severe as life imprisonment for homosexual intercourse, even if the relations are between legally consenting adults. Other sodomy laws proscribe a variety of other forms of sexual contact and apply even to married couples. No such regulations are found in the law codes of Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands, or Switzerland, among other countries.The Wolfenden committee in Britain and the American Law Institute recommended abolition of criminal penalties for sodomy, except in cases involving violence, children, or public solicitation. This position was adopted in England in 1967 and has been adopted in many U.S. states as well.