noun
nymphomania
nim-fuh-MAY-nee-uh/ˌnɪmfəˈmeɪniə/
A dated term for excessive or compulsive sexual desire in women.
The clinician explains why nymphomania is an outdated term.
Etymology
The combination of 'young woman' and 'madness' reflects an older medical framing of women's sexual desire as disease. The term was coined for desire described as morbid and uncontrollable.
In context
persistent sexual arousal syndrome isn't like nymphomania it's not that these women are permanently hot for it it's just that this pressure this genital tension builds up and it can only be released in orgasm
More examples
- The old medical textbook describes her symptoms as nymphomania.
- She objects to the word nymphomania because it singles out women.
- The novel's heroine is unfairly accused of nymphomania.
Forms
nymphomania
nymphomaniac noun — Dated term for a sexually compulsive woman.
Similar words
- hypersexuality
- Describes excessive sexual behavior or desire without specifying gender.