[f. LIBERTINE + -ISM.]
1. The views or practice of a libertine in religious matters; freedom of opinion or non-recognition of authority as to religion; free-thinking.
1641–51. Lanc. Tracts (Chetham Soc.), 10. A zealous Defender of the established Doctrine … of our Church, from Heresie, Libertinisme, and Prophanenesse.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., Apol. 566. Fed with the sweet sugar sops of Libertinism and Antinomianism.
1699. Burnet, 39 Art., xxxii. (1700), 356. The Marriage of most of the Reformers was urged … as a Doctrine of Libertinism, that made the clergy look too like the rest of the World.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (1714), I. 110. His Design was to abolish all Religion … and establish Atheism and Libertinism, leaving every Body to their Liberty of believing what they pleased.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, II. iv. Concl. 446. If Men reject Revealed Religion, great Libertinism must ensue.
1861. Trench, 7 Ch. Asia, 84. Heathen false freedom and libertinism.
2. Disregard of moral restraint, esp. in relations between the sexes; licentious or dissolute practices or habits of life.
1611. Cotgr., Sensualité, Sensuality, libertinisme, or epicurisme.
1650. Baxter, Saints’ R., III. (1651), 283. Troden under foot by Libertinism, and sensuality, as meat for Swine.
1754. Richardson, Grandison (1781), II. xvii. 186. Thus are wickedness and libertinism, called a knowledge of the world, a knowledge of human nature.
1761–2. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1806), V. lxxi. 339. Wicherley was ambitious of the reputation of wit and libertinism, and he attained it.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, I. xiii. The lord made a boast of his libertinism.
3. Freedom of life or conduct; unrestrained liberty. rare.
1647. Hammond, Chr. Oblig. to Peace, iii. 71. Dignified with the title of Freeman, and denied the libertinisme that belongs to it.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), II. II. i. 71. If libertinism is carried to a certain degree, the coercive power must become arbitrary.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 451. The freedom and libertinism of useless and unnecessary pleasures.
