Aphrodisiac
/ˌæf.rəˈdɪz.i.æk/noun
A substance or stimulus that increases sexual desire.
Did you know?Aphrodisiac comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, so the word’s history is tied to divine desire rather than any secret potion.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Aphrodisiakós
“pertaining to Aphrodite; sexual”
Late Latin
Latin
aphrodisiacus
“relating to love or sexual desire”
16th Century
French
aphrodisiaque
“stimulating sexual desire”
17th Century
English
aphrodisiac
“an agent believed to arouse sexual desire”
Modern English
English
aphrodisiac
“a substance or stimulus that increases sexual desire”
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