Intercourse Meaning
/ˈɪn.tɚˌkɔɹs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounCommunication, conversation.
nounDealings between countries.
Sentence Examples
They lost some symbols of social intercourse.
Syphilis is an infection that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The two enemy countries resumed diplomatic ____ after a long period of silence.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The treaty was designed to encourage free commercial ____ between the two neighboring countries.
Word Origin & History
From Old French entrecours, from Late Latin intercursus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Yet do I vnderſtand your darkeſt language, / Your treads ath'toe, your ſecret iogges and vvringes: / Your entercourſe of glaunces: euery tittle / Of your cloſe Amorous rites I vnderſtand, / They ſpeake as loud to mee, as if you ſaid, / My deareſt Dariotto, I am thine."
— 1604 (first performance), George Chapman, Al Fooles: A Comedy, […], London: […] [George Eld] for Thomas Thorpe, published 1605, →OCLC, Act II, signature [D4], verso:
"this sweet intercourse of looks and smiles"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"And indeed, what more reliable authority could Berlioz have found than Cavaillé-Coll, with whom he had frequent intercourse, and who would have been better qualified than any one else to give him correct information?"
— 1906, Edward Suddard, chapter 4, in The Technique of the Modern Orchestra^(https://imslp.org/wiki/Technique_de_l%27orchestre_moderne_(Widor%2C_Charles-Marie)), translation of Technique de l'orchestre moderne by Charles-Marie Widor, page 139:
"It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers."
— 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter X, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
"It might seem that with age places gained upon persons in interest to my mind; and that my pleasure grew in intercourse with things rather than with ideas."
— 1952 May, George Santayana, “I Like to Be a Stranger”, in The Atlantic:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The two enemy countries resumed diplomatic ____ after a long period of silence.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The treaty was designed to encourage free commercial ____ between the two neighboring countries.