English

Noun

libertinism ‎(plural libertinisms)

1. A lifestyle or pattern of behavior characterized by self-indulgence and lack of restraint, especially one involving sexual promiscuity and rejection of religious or other moral authority.
   • 1852, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Henry Esmond, Esq., ch. 13,

     The lord made a boast of his libertinism, and frequently avowed that he held all women to be fair game.

   • 1855, Washington Irving, "The Grand Prior of Minorca: A Veritable Ghost Story," in Chronicles of Wolfert's Roost and Other Papers,

     They led a life of luxury and libertinism, and were to be found in the most voluptuous courts of Europe.

   • 1990, David Gross and Sophfronia Scott, "Proceeding With Caution," Time, 16 Jul.,

     Only on college campuses do remnants of libertinism linger. That worries public-health officials, who are witnessing an explosion of sexually transmitted diseases.

   • 1993, Peter N. Miller, "‘Freethinking’ and ‘Freedom of Thought’ in Eighteenth-Century Britain," The Historical Journal, vol. 36, no. 3, p. 601:

     To facilitate their counter-attack, the targets of this critique sought to reduce the plurality of libertinisms to a simple libertine personality.

Related terms

• libertinage

References

• "libertinism" at OneLook® Dictionary Search.