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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Ve-nē're-al, a.

adjective

(89), a. [Lat. venereus, venerius, from Venus, Veneris, Venus, the goddess of love, It. & Sp. venereo, Fr. vénérien, L. Lat. veneralis. Cf. infra.] 1. Of, or pertaining to, venery, or sexual love; relating to sexual intercourse.

Into the snare I fell Of fair, fallacious looks, venereal trains, Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life. Milton.

  1. Arising from sexual intercourse; as, a venereal disease; venereal virus or poison.
  2. Adapted to the cure of venereal diseases; as, venereal medicines.
  3. Adapted to excite venereal desire; aphrodisiac.
  4. Consisting of, or pertaining to, copper, formerly called by chemists Venus. [Obs.] Boyle.