Sensualities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Expressions or experiences relating to physical pleasure and gratification, often involving the senses
2. Aspects of existence that focus on bodily sensations and appeal to the senses rather than intellectual pursuits
3. Elements of living that prioritize enjoyment and fulfillment through sensory experiences and desires

Etymology: "Sensualities" is the plural of "sensuality," so it refers to particular instances or kinds of that quality. "Sensuality" itself came into English in the 17th century, borrowed from French "sensualité" or medieval Latin "sensualitas," built on Latin "sensualis," meaning "pertaining to the senses," from "sensus," the root of "sense." The stem "sensu-" carries the basic idea of perception through the body. The notable shift here is that Latin "sensualis" was a neutral term for the faculties of perception, and it still was in early English uses. The moral tilt came later. Through the 1600s and 1700s, writers in English often used "sensual" and "sensuality" with a disapproving edge, suggesting appetite that overrode reason or spirit, a usage that followed the older Christian contrast between flesh and soul. The plural form, which names multiple pleasures or experiences rather than the quality in general, is less common and mostly appears in literary or critical writing.