Uranism
/ˈjʊərənɪzəm/noun
A historical term for male homosexuality or same-sex desire, especially in nineteenth-century sexology.
Did you know?The term refers to Aphrodite Urania, Plato’s “heavenly Aphrodite,” whose love was traditionally contrasted with the more earthly Aphrodite Pandemos.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Οὐρανός (Ouranos)
“The sky or heavens; also the primordial Greek sky god.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Οὐρανία (Ourania)
““Heavenly,” especially in the epithet Aphrodite Urania, the heavenly Aphrodite described by Plato.”
4th Century BCE
Greek
οὐράνιος (ouranios)
“Heavenly or celestial; associated with the higher, non-earthly realm.”
1860s
German
Uranismus
“A nineteenth-century term for male same-sex attraction, popularized by German writer Karl Heinrich Ulrichs.”
Late 19th Century
English
uranism
“A learned English borrowing referring to homosexuality, particularly male homosexuality.”
Modern English
English
uranism
“An obsolete or historical term for homosexuality or same-sex desire.”