a. Obs. Also 6 -yous. [f. L. veneri-us: cf. OF. venerieux and VENEREOUS a.]
1. = VENEREAL a. 1.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, xviii. (1870), 246. Beware of Veneryous actes before the fyrste slepe.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., 8. Salt … is very stirring in our bodies, and provoketh them to venerious actes.
1607. Walkington, Opt. Glass, vii. 44 b. Hee that presumes with his all-daring quill to put foorth lewde pamphlets,… to set vp a venerious schoole.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 195. Titulation in venerious exercises.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 242. Immoderate Venery or venerious cogitations.
b. = VENEREAL a. 2.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 247. Their inflamation or exulceration breeds the venerious gonorrhæa or running of the reines.
2. = VENEREOUS a. 1.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, lvi. 25. [A] man that is full of heare is euer venerious.
1562. Legh, Armory, 138 b. This prety Ruddoke,… of nature, though he be not Venerious, yet [etc.].
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 41. Aristotle saith, that they who ride most, are most venerious.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 146. [The Persians are] mirthfull and venerious.
3. = VENEREOUS a. 3.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vii. 136. They are both somewhat windie and also venerious, especially the Parsnep.
Hence † Veneriousness. Obs.–1
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, cccxxvii. 106. This infirmitie doth come … of to much veneriousnes, specially used after a full stomake.
1727. in Bailey (vol. II.).
