Pruderie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An excessive display of modesty or propriety, especially a reluctance to discuss or acknowledge matters relating to sex
2. A stiff, over-scrupulous attitude toward decency that makes a person squeamish about frank or bodily subjects
3. Overly fastidious concern with propriety, marked by discomfort at anything considered improper or indecent

Etymology: "Pruderie" entered English from French "prudérie", which in turn comes from "prude", the feminine form of the French adjective "prud" meaning "prudent" or "wise." The French adjective descends from Latin "prudens," a contraction of "providens," meaning "foreseeing," so the original sense was about foresight rather than modesty. The shift happened in French. "Prude" first described a woman who was capable or efficient, and only later took on the sense of a woman who is excessively concerned with propriety. Modest, careful behavior eventually became the defining trait, and the earlier meaning of competence faded. The noun "pruderie" carries that same meaning of affected or excessive modesty. English adopted it from French, and it is a loanword rather than a native formation.

Synonyms: prudishness, primness, priggishness, squeamishness, modesty

Antonyms: boldness, shamelessness, candor, licentiousness