adultery
adultery
Pronunciation
IPA: /əˈdʌl.tər.i/
Syllable Breakdown:
/ə/: Reduced vowel, similar to the "a" in "about"
/ˈdʌl/:
/d/ Voiced alveolar stop
/ʌ/ Short, mid-central vowel, similar to the "u" in "cup"
/l/ Alveolar lateral approximant
/tər/:
/t/ Voiceless alveolar stop
/ə/ Reduced vowel
/r/ Alveolar approximant
/i/: High front vowel, similar to the "ee" in "see"
Word Form Variations
The word "adultery" itself is already a noun. There are no direct plural or singular variations of the word itself.
However, you can use related adjectives and verbs:
Adulterous: (adjective) - Engaging in or characterized by adultery.
Example: "Their adulterous affair was eventually discovered."
Commit adultery: (verb) - To engage in adultery.
Example: "He committed adultery with his secretary."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse.
Synonyms: Infidelity, extramarital affair, marital unfaithfulness, betrayal
Antonyms: Fidelity, faithfulness, loyalty, monogamy
Verb:
Definition: To engage in voluntary sexual intercourse with someone other than one's spouse while married.
Synonyms: To cheat on, to be unfaithful to, to have an affair with
Antonyms: To be faithful to, to be loyal to, to remain monogamous with
Adjective:
Definition: Relating to or characterized by adultery.
Synonyms: Infidel, unfaithful, adulterous
Antonyms: Faithful, loyal, monogamous
Examples of Use
Books:
"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy: This classic novel explores themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations, with adultery playing a central role in Anna's tragic downfall.
"The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne: This novel examines the social and psychological consequences of adultery in Puritan New England.
Newspapers:
"Celebrity Adultery Scandals Rock Hollywood" (Headline from a tabloid newspaper): This headline exemplifies how the term is used in popular media to describe high-profile cases of infidelity.
"Politician Resigns Amid Adultery Allegations" (News article from a reputable newspaper): This demonstrates the use of "adultery" in reporting on real-world events with potential political implications.
Online Publications:
"The Ethics of Adultery in the Digital Age" (Title of an article on a popular online magazine): This showcases the word's use in discussing contemporary social and ethical issues related to infidelity.
"Overcoming Adultery: A Guide for Couples" (Title of an article on a self-help website): This illustrates the use of "adultery" in providing advice and support for individuals and couples dealing with the aftermath of infidelity.
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television series like "Mad Men" and "The Affair" often depict complex storylines involving adultery, exploring its impact on characters' relationships and lives.
Films such as "Doctor Zhivago" and "The Bridges of Madison County" portray passionate but forbidden love affairs, raising questions about the nature of love, morality, and societal expectations.
General Public Discourse:
"I can't believe he would commit adultery after all we've been through!" (A common expression of betrayal and disappointment in a personal relationship.)
"Adultery is a sin according to many religious teachings." (A statement reflecting the moral and religious connotations of the term.)
These examples demonstrate the diverse contexts in which the word "adultery" is used, from classic literature to contemporary media and everyday conversations.
10 Famous Quotes Using Adultery
"Adultery is the application of democracy to love." — H.L. Mencken
"The essence of immorality is the tendency to make an exception of myself." — Jane Addams (often cited in discussions of adultery and ethics)
"Adultery is not about sex or romance. Ultimately, it is about how little we mean to one another." — Margaret Atwood
"Adultery is the supreme triumph of imagination over intelligence." — H.L. Mencken
"The world defines adultery in terms of physical acts; the Bible defines it first in terms of the heart." — John Piper
"Adultery is a mistake, not a crime." — L.J. Smith *(author of The Vampire Diaries)
"Adultery is the cruelty of pleasure." — Paul Eldridge (American writer and poet)
"Adultery, which is the violation of marriage vows, is worse than fornication." — St. Thomas Aquinas
"No adultery is without a partner." — Italian Proverb
"Adultery is an obvious sign of a relationship in decay." — James Dobson (Founder of Focus on the Family)
Etymology
The word "adultery" comes from the Latin word "adulterāre," which means "to defile" or "to corrupt."
Think of it like this: "ad" means "to" or "toward," and "alter" means "other." So, "adulterāre" basically meant "to make something other than it should be" or "to make it impure."
Over time, this idea of "defiling" or "corrupting" something pure became linked to sexual relationships outside of marriage. This is why "adultery" now specifically refers to sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse.
The first known use of "adultery" in English was in the 1300s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Adultery
Let’s explore phrases and idioms that capture the essence of adultery or infidelity:
"Two's company, three's a crowd." (This classic idiom directly relates to the disruption caused by a third party in a relationship.)
"A wandering eye." (This idiom describes someone who is easily tempted to look at other people romantically, suggesting a potential for infidelity.)
"To stray from the path." (This idiom metaphorically describes deviating from the expected or accepted course, which can be applied to infidelity.)
"To play away from home." (This idiom, while more informal and potentially offensive, directly refers to infidelity.)
"To have a skeleton in the closet." (This idiom suggests a hidden secret or shameful deed, which could include an affair.)
Original Phrases:
"To wear another's ring while your heart belongs to another." (This highlights the deception inherent in adultery.)
"To build a house on shifting sands." (This metaphorically describes a relationship built on deceit and instability, often associated with infidelity.)
Why are there fewer idioms directly using "adultery"?
Seriousness: Adultery is a serious social and moral issue, making it less likely to be used in lighthearted or humorous idioms.
Stigma: There's often a stigma associated with infidelity, which may discourage the use of the word in casual or figurative language.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of adultery from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
