intercourse

From Old French entrecours, from Late Latin intercursus

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɪn.tɚˌkɔɹs/, /ˈɪn.tɚˌkoɹs/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɪn.təˌkɔːs/

• Audio (US)

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intercourse (countable and uncountable, plural intercourses)

1. Communication, conversation.
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     this sweet intercourse of looks and smiles

   • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 10, in The Mirror and the Lamp:

     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.

2. Dealings between countries.
3. Dealings with people, including commerce and trade.
4. Sexual intercourse usually involving humans.

• See also Thesaurus:copulation.

• outercourse

intercourse (third-person singular simple present intercourses, present participle intercoursing, simple past and past participle intercoursed)

1. (nonstandard, intransitive) To have sexual intercourse.

• intersource