Condom

/ˈkɒndəm/ noun

Definition

A thin sheath, usually made of latex or rubber, worn during sexual activity for protection against pregnancy and disease.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, possibly from the surname of a person in King Charles II's court, or from the Latin 'condus' (hidden). The modern rubber version dates to the 1800s.

Kelly Says

The condom's history is fascinating: early versions were made from animal intestines (effective but fragile!), and the vulcanization of rubber in the 1840s revolutionized their reliability, which is why public health jumped forward dramatically after that.

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