DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective

carnal

KAR-nul/ˈkɑːrnl/

Relating to physical desire, especially sexual desire.

The chart tracks changes in his carnal desires over time.

A clinical depiction of sexual bodily appetite.
Etymology

Literally “of the flesh,” carnal first described what was physical or human. Its selected meaning narrows that bodily connection to sensual appetites, especially sexual desire.

In context

Altrusian Grace Media120:39
desire for sorcery adulteries were with thee and Lawless carnal intercourse with boys
The Sibylline Oracles - Visionary Prophecies of the Ancient World

More examples

  • The preacher condemns the pursuit of carnal pleasures.
  • The characters' attraction is intensely carnal.
  • His poems celebrate the carnal side of human life.

Similar words

sensual
Emphasizes enjoyment through the senses, not necessarily sex.
sexual
Directly concerns sex without necessarily a contrast with spirituality.