Definitions for celibacy
ˈsɛl ə bə siceliba·cy

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. celibacynoun

   an unmarried status

2. chastity, celibacy, sexual abstentionnoun

   abstaining from sexual relations (as because of religious vows)

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. celibacynoun

   Abstaining from marriage; the state of being unmarried.

2. celibacynoun

   Abstaining from sexual relations.

3. Etymology: From Latin caelibatus, perfect passive participle of caelibare, from caelebs.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Celibacynoun

   Single life; unmarried state.

   Etymology: from cœlebs, Latin.

   I can attribute their numbers to nothing but their frequent marriages; for they look on celibacy as an accursed state, and generally are married before twenty. Spectator, №. 495.

   By teaching them how to carry themselves in their relations of husbands and wives, parents and children, they have, without question, adorned the gospel, glorified God, and benefited man, much more than they could have done in the devoutest and strictest celibacy. Francis Atterbury.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Celibacy

   Celibacy (from Latin caelibatus) is the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both, usually for religious reasons. It is often in association with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, the term celibacy is applied only to those for whom the unmarried state is the result of a sacred vow, act of renunciation, or religious conviction. In a wider sense, it is commonly understood to only mean abstinence from sexual activity.Celibacy has existed in one form or another throughout history, in virtually all the major religions of the world, and views on it have varied. Classical Hindu culture encouraged asceticism and celibacy in the later stages of life, after one has met one's societal obligations. Jainism, on the other hand, preached complete celibacy even for young monks and considered celibacy to be an essential behavior to attain moksha. Buddhism is similar to Jainism in this respect. There were, however, significant cultural differences in the various areas where Buddhism spread, which affected the local attitudes toward celibacy. A somewhat similar situation existed in Japan, where the Shinto tradition also opposed celibacy. In most native African and Native American religious traditions, celibacy has been viewed negatively as well, although there were exceptions like periodic celibacy practiced by some Mesoamerican warriors.The Romans viewed celibacy as an aberration and legislated fiscal penalties against it, with the exception of the Vestal Virgins, who took a 30-year vow of chastity in order to devote themselves to the study and correct observance of state rituals. In Christianity, celibacy means the promise to live either virginal or celibate in the future. In addition to the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches, the Anglican Communion and some Protestant churches or communities such as the Shakers also know a promise or vow of celibacy for example for members of religious orders, hermits, consecrated virgins and deaconesses. Judaism and Islam have denounced celibacy, as both religions emphasize marriage and family life. However, the priests of the Essenes, a Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, practised celibacy. Several hadiths indicate that the Islamic prophet Muhammad denounced celibacy.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. celibacy

   Celibacy is the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both, usually for religious reasons. It is often associated with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, the term is applied only to those for whom the unmarried state is the result of a sacred vow, act of renunciation, or religious conviction.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Celibacynoun

   the state of being unmarried; single life, esp. that of a bachelor, or of one bound by vows not to marry

2. Etymology: [See Celibate, n.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Celibacy

   Celibacy refers to a state of being unmarried and sexually abstinent, usually in association with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, the term is applied only to those for whom the unmarried state is the result of a sacred vow, act of renunciation, or religious conviction. Celibacy has existed in one form or another throughout history and in virtually all the major religions of the world. Celibacy is distinct from the lack of interest in sex, which may be due to a number of reasons, such as asexuality.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Celibacy

   sel′i-bas-i, or se-lib′as-i, n. a single life: an unmarried state.—adjs. Celibatā′rian, favouring celibacy; Cel′ibate, living single.—n. one unmarried, or not allowed to marry. [L. cœlebs, single.]

Matched Categories

1. • Abstinence
   • Religion
   • Status

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce celibacy?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say celibacy in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of celibacy in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of celibacy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of celibacy in a Sentence

1. Pope Francis:

   Personally I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church. I am not in agreement (with those who say) optional celibacy should be permitted.

2. Guy Goden:

   Celibacy is not hereditary.

3. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston:

   The Church needs a strong and comprehensive policy to address bishops' violations of the vows of celibacy in cases of the criminal abuse of minors and in cases involving adults.

4. William Cobbett:

   To suppose such a thing possible as a society, in which men, who are able and willing to work, cannot support their families, and ought, with a great part of the women, to be compelled to lead a life of celibacy, for fear of having children to be starved; to suppose such a thing possible is monstrous.

5. Penpa Tsering:

   His holiness has always lived in sanctity, (following the life of) a Buddhist monk, including celibacy. His years of spiritual practice have gone beyond sensorial pleasures, his holiness is now being labeled all kinds of names.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=celibacy
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Celibacy
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=celibacy
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celibacy
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celibacy
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=celibacy
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=celibacy
9. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=celibacy