Also 5–6 venerie. [f. L. Vener-, Venus VENUS1 + -Y.]
1. The practice or pursuit of sexual pleasure; indulgence of sexual desire.
1497. Extr. Aberd. Reg. (1844), I. 425. It was statut … that all licht weman be chargit and ordanit to decist fra thar vicis and syne of venerie.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 430. As brutell beistis takand appetyte, In venerie putting thair haill delyte.
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 34. Birdes tongue, is an Herbe whose chief working is to prouoke Uenerie.
1607. Dekker, Northward Hoe, III. Venery is like vsery,… it may be allowed tho it be not lawfull.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 30. A body, wherein there may be action enough to content decrepit lust, or passion to satisfie more active veneries.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 378. Nor does it seldom fall out, from their aptness to Venery,… that they are afflicted with terrible Mariscæ.
1725. N. Robinson, Th. Physick, 152. The Passions of the Mind have a great Influence, as also excessive Venery.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), III. 197. If the tusks … be broke away, the animal abates of its fierceness and venery.
1803. Med. Jrnl., IX. 139. He … gave himself up to his former intemperance in spirits and in venery.
1876. Gross, Dis. Bladder, etc., I. i. 18. Occasionally it [i.e., acute cystitis] is traceable to the effects of excessive venery.
† 2. fig. A source of great enjoyment. Obs.
1602. Middleton, The Phœnix, III. i F 4. ’Twas e’en Venerie to me, y’faith, the pleasantst course of life.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Noble Gent., IV. iv. To me The fooling of this fool is venery.
