Definition of the word libido

The Latin word "libido" originally referred to a legal concept, specifically the desire or inclination to possess something. In Roman law, "libido" was used in the context of property rights and ownership. However, in the late 19th century, experts in the field of psychology began to adopt the term "libido" to describe a more specific concept related to human sexuality. Sigmund Freud, the famous Austrian psychologist, popularized the usage of "libido" in this context, defining it as the innate sexual energy or drive that motivates human behavior. Freud's psychological interpretation of "libido" introduced a profound shift in the meaning of this term, as it transformed "libido" from a legal term related to property to a psychological one describing an individual's basic sexual impulses. Today, the concept of "libido" is widely understood in relation to its psychological meaning, and the term is commonly used in discussions about human sexuality and desire.