What, exactly, is the definition of "virginity"?

Answer 1

Virginity is a term used to describe what a person has when he or she has not yet engaged in sexual intercourse. A person who still has his or her virginity can accordingly be described as being a virgin. In broader usage of these terms, they can characterize a state of unimpacted purity. This purity can be based around something's contents, such as a margarita being described as virgin when it lacks alcohol, or around a lack of experience, such as a player of bingo being described as virgin when he is a newcomer to the game. In other contexts, these terms can apply to someone who has not engaged in sexual activities in general, or to more specific activities such as how anal virgin can apply to someone who has not engaged in anal sex.

With the standard usage of these terms (where the state of purity is thought to come from a lack of sexual intercourse), they have been more commonly applied to women than to men, both historically and in many present-day situations. In fact, the terms traditionally were used to simply describe a female unmarried person or a young girl (lat. "virgo, virginis", as an opposite to "vir" meaning "man" or "husband").

The act of losing one's virginity, that is, of a first sexual experience, is commonly considered within Western culture to be an important life event and a rite of passage. It is highlighted by many mainstream Western movies (particularly films aimed at a teenaged audience). The loss of virginity can be viewed as a milestone to be proud of or as a failure to be ashamed of (particularly if a lack of self control was involved), depending on cultural perceptions. Historically, these perceptions were heavily influenced by perceived gender roles, such that for a male the association was more often with pride and for a female the association was more often with shame.

One slang term used for virginity is "cherry" (often, this is the term to refer to the hymen, but can refer to virginity in males or females) and for deflowering a virgin is to "pop their cherry," in effect, a reference to destruction of the hymen during first intercourse.

Mythology
Virginity has been often considered to be a virtue denoting purity and physical self-restraint and is an important characteristic of some mythical figures such as the Greek goddesses Athena, Artemis, and Hestia. The Vestal Virgins were strictly celibate priestesses of Vesta. The Maiden or Virgin is one of the three persons of the Triple Goddess in many Neopagan traditions. The constellation Virgo represents a wide selection of sacred virgins.

Answer 2

I think your first question (what do I mean by "respect") is difficult to answer because there are different types of respect. For example, I could respect somebody by being willing to seek their expertise in a specific subject. Or, I could respect somebody by not hassling them about a point on which I think they are wrong. Or, I could respect somebody's wishes by not actively acting against those wishes, even if I think I acting against them would be morally justified. I think respect is too ambiguous a word that applies in too many cases for it to be given a simple definition. As far as being worthy of respect, I suppose I think everybody is worthy of respect in some way. I'm not entirely sure what criteria I use to determine whether or not somebody is worthy of my respect... I'll think about it some more and if I come up with an answer I'll get back to you. So, in conclusion, my answer to your question is that I can't really answer your question.

Answer 3

Main Entry: vir·gin·i·ty
Pronunciation: (")v&r-'ji-n&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
1 : the quality or state of being virgin; especially : MAIDENHOOD
2 : the unmarried life : CELIBACY, SPINSTERHOOD

Answer 4

http://dict.die.net/virgin/

Answer 5

Hi. Try this link : http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=virginity&gwp=16

Answer 6

biblically: a woman not married. modern definitions: you haven't had penetration sex. there is also butt virgin: not had anal sex

Answer 7

someone who is virgin!

Answer 8

Someone who hasn't had sex yet.

Answer 9

a person who hasnt had sex yet

Answer 10

Someone who has never had sexual intercourse...