April 2022

Etymology

Ancient Greek

Greek (kleitorís), probably from Ancient Greek (kleíō, “I sheathe, shut”), in reference to its being covered by the labia minora. Some medical sources give a supposed Greek verb (kleitoriázō, “touch or titillate lasciviously, tickle”) literally "to be inclined toward pleasure". Many sources take (kleitorís) literally as Ancient Greek "little hill".