carnality
/kɑːˈnæl.ə.ti/ (bre, ipa) · /kɑːrˈnæl.ə.t̬i/ (ame, ipa) · /kär-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce carnality (audio)/ (ame, mw)
carnality — noun
1. A strong pull toward sexual pleasure, or behaviour that gives in to it too openl
A strong pull toward sexual pleasure, or behaviour that gives in to it too openly.
The bishop warned that the novel's carnality would distract young readers from prayer.
formal moral criticism of sexual desire
At the trial, the prosecutor described the website's carnality as deliberate and profitable.
Farah disliked the film because its constant carnality left no room for tenderness.
The critic argued that the painting's carnality was meant to shock wealthy patrons.
Jonah feared that his private carnality would damage the trust in his marriage.
- lust
More direct and common; often names the feeling itself rather than a general quality
- sensuality
Can sound less harsh and may include pleasure in touch or beauty, not only sex
- lewdness
Stronger and more openly moralizing; focuses on indecent behaviour
- chastity
Self-control that avoids sexual activity or lustful behaviour
- purity
Broader moral cleanliness, often used in the same religious contexts
- self-restraint
General control over desire, not only sexual desire
文法句型
show carnality
give in to carnality
the carnality of [person/work]
用法筆記
Usually critical and formal, especially in religious or moral writing. It is narrower than sense 2 because it points specifically to sexual appetite or lustful behaviour.
常見錯誤
2. The bodily side of human nature, especially the physical wants that can pull som
The bodily side of human nature, especially the physical wants that can pull someone away from reason or spiritual life.
The monk wrote that carnality tied him to hunger, sleep, and comfort.
bodily needs named directly
In class, Professor Sato contrasted human carnality with the life of the mind.
contrast with reason or intellect
After weeks at sea, the sailors felt their carnality in every aching muscle.
Sister Maria saw the endless talk about food as a sign of carnality.
The essay argues that carnality begins with ordinary needs before turning into excess.
- bodily nature
More neutral and descriptive, without the strong moral criticism
- physical appetite
Narrower; focuses on bodily wants rather than the whole human condition
- fleshliness
Rare and strongly religious, but close in meaning
- spirituality
Attention to inner or religious life rather than bodily wants
- asceticism
Deliberate self-denial of bodily comfort and pleasure
- self-denial
Broader refusal of comfort or pleasure for a principle
文法句型
human carnality
carnality of the body
struggle against carnality
用法筆記
Commonest in philosophy or religious discussion about the body's demands. Distinguish it from sense 1: this sense can include hunger, comfort, and physical weakness as well as sexual desire.