defloration

defloration is a formal noun with a sensitive literal meaning: the act of depriving a woman of virginity, especially through sexual intercourse. It is not a word for casual conversation, and in modern English it can sound clinical, archaic, or offensive if used carelessly. But defloration also has a striking figurative use: the spoiling of something innocent, pure, or beautiful, such as a pristine place or artistic integrity. When does this word work as literary force, and when should you choose a clearer alternative? Watch the full lesson to learn its register, related verb, and careful usage.