Fornication

Fornication is a term which refers to sexual intercourse between consenting partners. Sex between unmarried persons is distinguished from adultery by use of the term 'simple fornication'. The origin of the word derives from Latin. The word fornix means "an archway" or "vault" (in Rome, prostitutes could be solicited there). More directly, fornicationis means "of the archway"; thus an euphemism for prostitution.