n. pl. or·gies 1. A social gathering involving unrestrained indulgence, especially sexual activity and drinking. 2. Uncontrolled or immoderate indulgence in an activity: an orgy of spending. 3. A secret rite in the cults of ancient Greek or Roman deities, typically involving frenzied singing, dancing, drinking, and sexual activity. [From Early Modern English orgies, secret rites (as those practiced by the ancient Greeks for Dionysus), from Old French, from Latin orgia, from Greek; see werg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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