English
erotic
Erotic may come from French érotique ‘sensual, erotic’.
- Frenchc. 1600–presentérotique‘sensual, erotic’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1961erotic
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Frenchc. 1600–presentérotique‘sensual, erotic’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1961erotic
Earliest quotation: 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs: “The brain of a calf, sheep, and pig, young…”
Linked words
through Ancient Greek ἔρως ‘sexual love’
Today it means
adj Relating to or tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / French érotique / erotic