Etymology
Advertisement

gonorrhea (n.)

also gonorrhoea, 1520s, from Late Latin gonorrhoia, from Greek gonos "seed" (see gonad) + rhoe "flow," from rhein "to flow" (from PIE root *sreu- "to flow"). Mucus discharge was mistaken for semen. In early records often Gomoria, etc., from folk etymology association with biblical Gomorrah. Related: Gonorrheal; gonorrhoeal.

updated on May 11, 2017

Advertisement
Advertisement

Dictionary entries near gonorrhea

gong

goniometer

gonna

gono-

gonoph

gonorrhea

gony

gonzo

goo

goober

good