-nt adjective
Etymology: Latin prurient-, pruriens, present participle of prurire to itch, long for, be wanton; akin to Latin pruna glowing coal, Sanskrit ploṣati he singes, burns, and probably to Latin pruina hoarfrost — more at freeze
1.
a. : marked by restless craving : itching with curiosity
the reading public … in its usual prurient longing after anything like personal gossip — Charles Kingsley
b. : having or easily susceptible to lascivious thoughts or desires
titillated prurient people by its frank discussion of sexual experience
c. : tending to excite lasciviousness
the japes about sex … being prurient rather than funny — John McCarten
2. : exhibiting abnormally rapid or excessive growth
pinching off the prurient bud — Nathaniel Paterson
• pru·ri·ent·ly adverb