What is…
lasciviousness

also known as: lewdness, debauchery, wantonness, lecherous

Greek: ασελγής —transliteration: aselgeia

The word is derived from the Latin: lascivus or lascvia, meaning “lustful, lewdness, wantonness.”

Biblical meaning: inappropriate and overt expressions of sexual desire; being driven by sexual desire—filled with it and expressing it; intentional provoking or exciting of sexual lust; given to lust; lewdness; filthy immorality; debauchery or living in debauchery; wantonness, licentiousness; lecherous; promiscuous

This word appears 6 times in the King James Bible and, being a Latin word, is used only in the New Testament.

More information


Article Version: September 7, 2017