fescennine

[ fes-uh-nahyn, -nin ]

/ ˈfɛs əˌnaɪn, -nɪn /

scurrilous; licentious; obscene: fescennine mockery.

Origin of fescennine

1595–1605; < Latin Fescennīnus of, belonging to Fescennia, a town in Etruria noted for jesting and scurrilous verse; see -ine¹

fervent, fervid, fervidor, fervor, fervour, fescennine, fescue, fescue foot, fess, fess point, fesse

Fescennine verses of the Romans, which were used at weddings and triumphs, were intended to ward off ill luck.

Folkways |William Graham Sumner
It is a charm against fascinum, 'the evil eye': and hence the name Fescennine.

The Oxford Book of Latin Verse |Various
Bridal songs with fescennine licence resounded in the theatres, market-places, courts, and gymnasia.

The Formation of Christendom, Volume VI |Thomas W. (Thomas William) Allies
A fescennine temperament is too often allied with religiosity.

Masques & Phases |Robert Ross

The ancient Atellan farces were as full of obscenity as were the fescennine songs of broad allusions.

Roman Women |Alfred Brittain

Fescennine

/ (ˈfɛsɪˌnaɪn) /

rare scurrilous or obscene

C17: from Latin Fescennīnus of Fescennia, a city in Etruria noted for the production of mocking or obscene verse