Sodomy \Sod"om*y\, n. [From Sodom. a country mentioned in the
   Bible: cf. F. sodomite.]
   Carnal copulation in a manner against nature; buggery. --Gen.
   xix. 5.
   [1913 Webster]

	

	sodomy
    n 1: intercourse via the anus, committed by a man with a man or
         woman [syn: sodomy, buggery, anal sex, anal
         intercourse]

	

	SODOMY, crim. law. The crime against nature, committed either with man or 
beast. 
     2. It is a crime not it to be named; peccatum illud horrible, inter 
christianos non nominandum. 4 Bl. Com. 215; 1 East, P. C. 480, 487; Bac. Ab. 
h.t.; Hawk. b. 1, c. 4; 1 Hale, 669; Com. Dig. Justices, S 4; Russ. & Ry. 
331. 
     3. This crime was punished with great severity by the civil law. Nov. 
141; Nov. 77; Inst. 4, 18, 4. See 1 Russ. on Cr. 568; R. & R. C. C. 331, 
412; 1 East, P. C. 437.