homosexuality
noun
- romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌhoʊməˌsɛkʃuˈælɪti/ / /ˌhoʊmoʊˌsɛkʃuˈælɪti/ / /ˌhəʊmə(ʊ)sɛkʃʊˈælɪti/
noun
Etymology: 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.
- The state of being sexually and romantically attracted primarily or exclusively to persons of the same sex, sometimes (potentially offensive) restricted to same-sex attraction between males.
“Great diminution or complete absence of sexual feeling for the opposite sex, with substitution of sexual feeling and instinct for the same sex. (Homo-sexuality, or contrary sexual instinct).”
“Some of the experts have gone into the question of homosexuality with great care, and advanced sundry learned and scientific theories in regard to that abnormal condition.”
- Sexual activity with a person of the same sex, sometimes (potentially offensive) restricted to same-sex sex between males.
“Bourneville believes that 75 per cent. of the inmates of the Parisian venereal hospitals have practised homosexuality.”
“A Prussian proposal for a harsh penal code made male homosexuality an even more serious crime.”