frigidity

The state of being frigid; coldness; lack of heat.

Noun

  1. The state of being frigid; coldness; lack of heat.

    Synonyms: iciness coldness

  2. Coldness of feeling, manner or quality; lack of ardor, animation or vivacity.

    Synonyms: chilliness dullness

  3. Lack of natural heat and vigor of body; impotency.
    • It cannot be denied it [the chameleon] is (if not the moſt of any) a very abſtemious animall, and ſuch as by reaſon of its frigidity, paucity of bloud, and latitancy in the winter (about which time the obſervations are...
  4. Lack of or low sex drive; a persistent inability to become aroused or achieve sexual satisfaction.
    • In France, Mme. de Pompadour was induced by Louis XV to eat such testicles in order to break down her frigidity. - 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 232:
    • An epileptic lover may (slightly) experience […] sporadic impotence/frigidity. - 1983 February 12, John Zeh, “Epilepsy”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 29, page 4:

Origin

From Middle English frigiditee, frigidite, a borrowing from Middle French frigidité, itself a borrowing from Latin frīgiditātem, accusative of Latin frīgiditās.

Forms

frigidities