adjective
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Priapus, the Greco-Roman god of fertility and gardens; marked by obscene or indecent humor or imagery
Usage: literary; often capitalized when referring directly to the deity; can carry vulgar or offensive connotations in some contexts
Examples
- The ancient Roman poet wrote priapean verses that were considered scandalous by polite society.
- Priapean imagery appears frequently in classical graffiti discovered at Pompeii.
- The sculpture had a distinctly priapean character that made museum visitors uncomfortable.
- Medieval scholars often censored priapean passages from classical texts.
- The festival featured priapean humor and ribald jokes celebrating the harvest.