Carnal knowledge

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Copulation; the act of a man having sexual relations with a woman.

Penetration is an essential element of sexual intercourse, and there is carnal knowledge if even the slightest penetration of the female by the male organ takes place. It is not required that the hymen be ruptured or the vagina entered.

carnal knowledge n. from Latin carnalis for "fleshly:" sexual intercourse between a male and female in which there is at least some slight penetration of the woman's vagina by the man's penis. It is legally significant in that it is a necessary legal characteristic or element of rape, child molestation, or consensual sexual relations with a girl below the age of consent ("statutory rape"). Age of consent varies from 14 to 18, depending upon the state.

CARNAL KNOWLEDGE, crim. law. This phrase is used to signify a sexual connexion; as, rape is the carnal knowledge of a woman, &c. See Rape.

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? References in periodicals archive
van der Linden, explained: "Under the head of fornication, as a criminal offence, we understand the conduct of those who, from a love of gain, or excess of lust, lend their body to the carnal knowledge of all persons"--a definition involving prostitutes, brothels and pimps as well, it appears, as incidents of casual sex where no material "gain" changed hands. Illegitimacy and family formation in colonial Cape Town, to c. 1850 by Malherbe, Vertrees C. / Journal of Social History In an innovative shift, Hurston replaces the legendary tree of knowledge, the apple tree, with an arguably more fitting symbol of the acquisition of carnal knowledge and sexual experience, the pear tree. Biblical trees, biblical deliverance: literary landscapes of Zora ... by Weathers, Glenda B. / African American Review Forcible rape--The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Appendix II--offenses in uniform crime reporting by Uniform Crime Reports: Crime in the United States More results

References in periodicals archive

van der Linden, explained: "Under the head of fornication, as a criminal offence, we understand the conduct of those who, from a love of gain, or excess of lust, lend their body to the carnal knowledge of all persons"--a definition involving prostitutes, brothels and pimps as well, it appears, as incidents of casual sex where no material "gain" changed hands.

Illegitimacy and family formation in colonial Cape Town, to c. 1850 by Malherbe, Vertrees C. / Journal of Social History

In an innovative shift, Hurston replaces the legendary tree of knowledge, the apple tree, with an arguably more fitting symbol of the acquisition of carnal knowledge and sexual experience, the pear tree.

Biblical trees, biblical deliverance: literary landscapes of Zora ... by Weathers, Glenda B. / African American Review

Forcible rape--The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.

Appendix II--offenses in uniform crime reporting by Uniform Crime Reports: Crime in the United States

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