LICENTIOUSNESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does licentiousness mean? 

• LICENTIOUSNESS (noun)
  The noun LICENTIOUSNESS has 2 senses:

1. the quality of being lewd and lascivious

2. dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure

  Familiarity information: LICENTIOUSNESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LICENTIOUSNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The quality of being lewd and lascivious

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

licentiousness; wantonness

Hypernyms ("licentiousness" is a kind of...):

immorality (the quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct)

Derivation:

licentious (lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

dissipation; dissolution; licentiousness; looseness; profligacy

Hypernyms ("licentiousness" is a kind of...):

intemperance; intemperateness; self-indulgence (excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence)

Derivation:

licentious (lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained)

 Context examples 

And have you thought of the years of licentiousness he inevitably has lived?

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The kindness and protection of Mrs. Elton!—'Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax.' Heavens! Let me not suppose that she dares go about, Emma Woodhouse-ing me! But upon my honour, there seems no limits to the licentiousness of that woman's tongue!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

This illustrious person had very usefully employed his studies, in finding out effectual remedies for all diseases and corruptions to which the several kinds of public administration are subject, by the vices or infirmities of those who govern, as well as by the licentiousness of those who are to obey.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

And it is the more to be lamented, because there is reason to suppose as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence; though, at the same time, for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity, at so early an age.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)