What is Answerbag?

Ask questions and share your knowledge with the world here on Answerbag. Get the best answers where there are no duplicate questions and questions are always open - our community of over 1,142,000 will find your answer!

Join For Free!
 

What Does Carnal Mean?

Monday, October 05, 2009
Related Tags: carnalis | intercourse | synonyms | flesh | word
 

Instructions

Origin

  • Step 1:
    The word "carnal" has its origins in the Latin word, carnalis. The latter drew from the root caro, which means "flesh"; carnalis means fleshly.

Sexual

  • Step 1:
    The most common use of "carnal" is for sexual appetites or any situation marked by sexuality. Such application hardly makes a distinction between what is good and what is bad. It simply applies when the situation is of a sexual nature.

Religious

  • Step 1:
    The Holy Bible used euphemisms for sexual intercourse. In certain English interpretations, the phrase "to know" is used. This is the origin of the term "carnal knowledge," which was used for centuries as a euphemism for sexual intercourse. By extension, the word is used to describe sinfulness in the world.

Mortal

  • Step 1:
    Carnal can sometimes apply to mere matters of the flesh, or it can denote mortality and temporal status. "Carnal remains" and "carnal pleasure" are but a few examples of phrases spawned by this adjective.

Synonyms

  • Step 1:
    As a result of its uses, carnal has a number of synonyms. They include fleshly, sensual, temporal and worldly.

What Does Carnal Mean? Provided by eHow.com
Related Content
Definition of Portly
The word "portly" is an adjective applied to someone who is large of size. What exactly large means can be translated a few different ways.
Role of the Temporal Lobe
The human brain is composed of billions of nerve cells that control our every thought, movement, sensation and emotion. Although often thought of as a single unit, it actually consists of three...
Roles of the Temporal & Occipital Lobe
Your brain is a complex anatomical structure that takes in sensory messages---sounds, textures, sights, tastes, smells---then interprets them and directs your bod or mind to react in some way. The...
Information on Elephant Pregnancy
The largest animal that lives on land is the elephant. In the animal kingdom only the giraffe is taller than the elephant, and some whales are larger than the elephant. There are two primary kinds...
Left Temporal Lobe Functions & ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the presence of at least six Inattentiveness and/or six hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms persistent over the course of at least six months,...