I. ˌfȯ(r)nəˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English fornicacioun, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French fornication, from Late Latin fornication-, fornicatio, from fornicatus (past participle) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion
1. : human sexual intercourse other than between a man and his wife : sexual intercourse between a spouse and an unmarried person : sexual intercourse between unmarried people — used in some translations (as AV, DV) of the Bible (as in Mt 5:32) for unchastity (as in RSV) or immorality (as in NCE) to cover all sexual intercouse except between husband and wife or concubine
2. : sexual intercourse on the part of an unmarried person accomplished with consent and not deemed adultery — compare incest , rape
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin fornication-, fornicatio, from fornicatus vaulted + -ion-, -io -ion
: a vaulting or arching : vaulted construction (as of a cloister)