shunamitism

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noun

The ancient practice of an old man sleeping with, but not necessarily having sex with, a young virgin to preserve his youth.

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Meanings

nounshunamitism (uncountable)

alternative Shunamitism · alternative Shunammitism

  1. historicaluncountableThe ancient practice of an old man sleeping with, but not necessarily having sex with, a young virgin to preserve his youth.

Origin

From Shunamite + -ism, after Abishag, a Shunamite woman who served this purpose for David.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

shunamitism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shunamitism

MLA

“shunamitism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shunamitism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “shunamitism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shunamitism.

Source: shunamitism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.