orgy

noun

Etymology: Originally in plural from French orgies, from Latin orgia, from Ancient Greek ὄργια (órgia, “secret rites, mysteries”).

1. A secret rite or ceremony, typically involving riotous and dissolute behavior, including dancing, drunkenness and indiscriminate sexual activity, undertaken in honor of various pagan gods or goddesses (such as Attis, Bacchus, Ceres, Dionysus, Osiris, etc).

   “Human sacrifices of a definitely black magical order took place at the tomb of Osiris, while similar orgies with human victims were performed at Heliopolis.”

2. A gathering of people to engage in group sex.
3. An instance or period of excessive indulgence in a specified activity; spree.

   “The amount of drink required also surprised me. I arranged for what I thought we should need for ourselves, and then Mr Goyles spoke up for the crew. I must say that for him, he did think of his men. ’We don’t want anything in the nature of an orgy, Mr Goyles,’ I suggested. ’Orgy!’ replied Mr Goyles; ‘why they’ll take that little drop in their tea.’”

   “As two Homeric warriors, before they engage, introduce themselves by proclaiming each his lineage, so with Pelasgus and the Danaïds. Together they indulge in a veritable genealogical orgy.”