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Origin and history of intimacy

intimacy(n.)

1640s, from intimate (adj.) + abstract noun suffix -cy. The sense of "sexual intercourse" is attested from 1670s but its modern currency seems to be via euphemistic use in newspapers (by 1882).

also from 1640s

Entries linking to intimacy

intimate(adj.)

1630s, "closely acquainted, very familiar," also "inmost, intrinsic," from Late Latin intimatus, past participle of intimare "make known, announce, impress," from Latin intimus "inmost, innermost, deepest" (adj.), also used figuratively, of affections, feelings, and as a noun, "close friend."

This is a superlative of Latin in "in" (from PIE root *en "in," and compare in- (2)) with the superlative ending -timus (as in ultimus "last"), here denoting "close association with" (compare maritimus "of the sea").

Intimates (adj.) used euphemistically in reference to women's underwear is attested by 1988, probably short for intimate apparel (by 1889). Related: Intimately.

-cy

abstract noun suffix of quality or rank, ultimately representing in English Latin -cia, -tia (see -ia) but a living word-forming element in modern English. The native correspondents are -ship, -hood.

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    Trends of intimacy

    adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/ with a 7-year moving average; ngrams are probably unreliable.

    More to explore

    affair
    c. 1300, afere, "what one has to do, ordinary business," from Anglo-French afere, Old French afaire "business, event; rank, estate" (12c., Modern French affaire), from the infinitive phrase à faire "to do," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + facere "to do, make" (from PIE root *dhe-
    liaison
    1640s, originally in English as a cookery term for a thickening agent for sauces, from French liaison "a union, a binding together" (13c.), from Late Latin ligationem (nominative ligatio) "a binding," from past participle stem of Latin ligare "to bind" (from PIE root *leig- "to t
    amour
    c. 1300, "love," from Old French amor "love, affection, friendship; loved one" (11c.), from Latin amor "love, affection, strong friendly feeling" (sometimes used of feelings for sons or brothers, but it especially meant sexual love), from amare "to love" (see Amy). The accent shi
    sinus
    bight, gulf; a fold in land;" also "fold of the toga about the breast," hence "bosom," and figuratively "love, affection, intimacy...
    space
    spaced-out in reference to this is by 1965, and space cadet "eccentric person disconnected with reality" (often implying an intimacy...
    concubinage
    late 14c., "state of being a concubine; act or practice of cohabiting in intimacy without legal marriage," from Old French...
    puce
    That it could be generally recognized as a color seems a testimony to our ancestors' intimacy with vermin....
    familiarity
    c. 1200, "closeness of personal association, intimacy," from Old French familiarite and directly from Latin familiaritatem (nominative familiaritas) "intimacy, friendship, close acquaintance," from familiaris "friendly, intimate" (see familiar). Meaning "undue intimacy" is from l
    gang
    from Old English gang "a going, journey, way, passage," and Old Norse gangr "a group of men, a set," both from Proto-Germanic *gangaz (source also of Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Danish, Dutch, Old High German, German gang, Old Norse gangr, Gothic gagg "act of going"), of uncertain or
    strike
    Middle English striken, from Old English strican (past tense strac, past participle stricen) "pass lightly over, stroke, smooth, rub" (senses now obsolete), also "go, move, proceed, make one's way," from Proto-Germanic *strikanan (source also of Old Norse strykva "to stroke," Old

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