orgy English · revision 1511

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1561}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɔː.d͡ʒi/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɔɹd͡ʒi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was first used in the plural, borrowed from [[frm|orgies]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[la|orgia]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[grc|ὄργια|tr=órgia|t=secret rites]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) This is traditionally connected with [[m|grc|ἔργον|tr=érgon|t=work]], from [[ine-pro|*werg-|t=to do]] (see [[work]]),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) but it may be a foreign word.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In the plural, secret rites practised in the worship of Greek and Roman gods, especially Dionysus or Bacchus (1561 in Barnhart and Merriam-Webster; 1589 in the OED).^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ These rites, as in the festivals of Bacchus, were celebrated with frenzied dancing, singing and drinking.^(Cresswell 2021)^(AHD) From 1598 the word was applied to any rites or secret observances,^(OED 1989) and the singular ''orgy'' appeared in 1665, in the extended sense of revelry.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) By 1703 it meant wild or dissolute feasting and revelry.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) The sense of excessive indulgence in any activity, as in ''an orgy of destruction'', followed,^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and many now connect the word chiefly with unrestrained sexual activity.^(AHD)^(Abracadabra 2004)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1561 – ''orgies'', secret rites.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1598 – any secret observances.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1665 – singular ''orgy''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1698 – ''orgiastic''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1703 – dissolute revelry.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A wild gathering marked by unrestrained indulgence, especially in sexual activity or drinking.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Uncontrolled or immoderate indulgence in an activity, as in ''an orgy of spending''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(historical)'' A secret rite in the cults of ancient Greek or Roman gods, such as [[Dionysus]], marked by frenzied singing, dancing and drinking; usually in the plural.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[orgiastic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[work]]

+ * [[organ]]

+ * [[energy]]

+ * [[bacchanal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}