érotisme

eroticism

noun eh-ro-TEES-muh Rare

Origin: From Greek 'eros' (love, desire).

Usage Note

Érotisme refers to the quality of being erotic, and is used in literary, artistic, and cultural analysis as well as everyday speech. It is more nuanced than sexualité — l'érotisme d'un roman refers to its sensual atmosphere. The adjective is érotique, and the related word érotologie denotes the academic study of erotic literature.

Examples

"L'érotisme de ce roman a choqué les lecteurs."

Natural Translation

The eroticism of this novel shocked readers.

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