different between hymenal vs hymeneal

English

Etymology

hymen +? -al

Adjective

hymenal (not comparable)

1. Of, or pertaining to, the hymen

Anagrams

• Lyneham

English

Etymology

From Latin hymenaeus (from Ancient Greek ???????? (humenaîos, “matrimonial”)) +? -al. Compare hymen.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /h??m??ni??l/

Adjective

hymeneal (comparative more hymeneal, superlative most hymeneal)

1. Pertaining to marriage.
   • 1831, Anna Maria Winter, Thoughts on the Moral Order of Nature, vol. III, IV.3.vii:

     It seems to me that girls ought to be early taught to discriminate, between the characteristic of a hymeneal connexion and of a dishonourable one apparently resembling it.

   • 1850, Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, p. 348:

     "My dear Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber. "This is luxurious. This is a way of life which reminds me of the period when I was myself in a state of celibacy, and Mrs. Micawber had not yet solicited to plight her faith at the "Hymeneal" altar."

   • 2005, Catherine Bennett, The Guardian, 23 Jun 2005:

     Is it so difficult to wait until you are out of the register office to exchange some home-made vows and a selection of inspiring hymeneal ditties - To His Coy Mistress, for instance, or some lines from The Hollow Men?

2. Pertaining to sexual relations.
   • 1911, Theodore Dreiser, Jennie Gerhardt, Chapter XI:

     Although the whole earth, not we alone, is moved by passions hymeneal, and everything terrestrial has come into being by the one common road, yet there is that ridiculous tendency to close the eyes and turn away the head as if there were something unclean in nature itself.

3. (anatomy) Of or pertaining to the hymen.

Translations

See also

• matrimonial
• nuptial

Noun

hymeneal (plural hymeneals)

1. A hymn, song or poem in honour of a wedding.

Translations