ENGLISH
REFERENCE

homosexuality

n.
US //ˌhoʊmoʊˌsɛkʃuˈæɫəˌti// UK //hˌəʊməʊsˈɛkʃuːˈælɪti// ho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty
  1. 1 sexual activity (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical

    sexual activity between people of the same sex.

    the practice of engaging in sexual activity with a person of the same sex.

    Example

    The laws regarding homosexuality have changed significantly over the last fifty years.

    Example

    The historical document discusses the social attitudes toward homosexuality in the nineteenth century, reflecting the rigid moral codes of that era.

    Usage

    uncountable noun

    • same sex activity
Origin

From homosexual + -ity, equivalent to homo- + sexuality and after the model of German Homosexualität, coined by journalist Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1869, and French homosexualité, attested in 1891.

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