Fornication is a term which typically refers to consensual sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other. WordNet Search - 3.0 The term for many people carries a moral or religious association. Fornication is regarded differently by various religions, societies and cultures. Etymology The origin of the word derives from Latin. The word fornix means "an archway" or "vault" and it became a common euphemism for a brothel as prostitutes could be solicited in the vaults beneath Rome. M… (More on Fornication)