Legal Definitions - venery

Venery is an archaic term with two primary meanings. Historically, it referred to the act of hunting. It also, and perhaps more commonly in legal contexts, denoted sexual intercourse.

Venery is an archaic term with two primary meanings:

• The act or practice of hunting wild game.
• Sexual indulgence or sexual intercourse.

This term is rarely encountered in modern legal or general language.

Example 1 (Hunting):

During a historical reenactment of a 16th-century royal court, the king's daily schedule might include a notation for "morning venery in the royal forest." This would indicate that the king planned to spend his morning hunting deer or other game.

Explanation: In this scenario, venery refers specifically to the activity of hunting, which was a common and important pastime for royalty and nobility in historical periods.

Example 2 (Sexual Intercourse):

In a literary analysis of an old text, a scholar might discuss how a character's downfall was attributed to their excessive pursuit of venery, leading them to neglect their duties and reputation. This would imply that the character was overly preoccupied with sexual pleasures and relationships.

Explanation: Here, venery is used to describe sexual indulgence or sexual intercourse, often carrying a connotation of excess or impropriety, reflecting its historical usage in such contexts.