libertinism

plural libertinisms

1. countableuncountableA lifestyle or pattern of behavior characterized by self-indulgence and lack of restraint, especially one involving sexual promiscuity and rejection of religious or other moral authority.

   To facilitate their counter-attack, the targets of this critique sought to reduce the plurality of libertinisms to a simple libertine personality.

   1993, Peter N. Miller, “‘Freethinking’ and ‘Freedom of Thought’ in Eighteenth-Century Britain”, in The Historical Journal, volume 36, number 3, page 601

   3 more examples

   [T]he lord made a boaſt of his libertiniſm, and frequently avowed that he held all women to be fair game (as his lordſhip ſtyled this pretty ſport), and that they were all, without exception, to be won.

   1852, William Makepeace Thackeray, “My Lord Leaves Us and His Evil Behind Him”, in The History of Henry Esmond, Esq. […] , volume I, London: […] Smith, Elder, & Company, […], →OCLC, page 299

   Instead of being a hardy body of "monk-knights," […] they led a life of luxury and libertinism, and were to be found in the most voluptuous courts of Europe.

   1855, Washington Irving, “[The Knight of Malta.] The Grand Prior of Minorca. A Veritable Ghost Story.”, in Wolfert’s Roost and Other Papers, […], New York, N.Y.: G[eorge] P[almer] Putnam & Co., […], →OCLC, page 133

   Only on college campuses do remnants of libertinism linger. That worries public-health officials, who are witnessing an explosion of sexually transmitted diseases.

   1990 July 16, David Gross, Sophfronia Scott, “Proceeding With Caution”, in Time