[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 10 Oct 2001 12:22:05: Intact - complete meaning
As an answer to: Intact means? written by Joey at 09 Oct 2001 15:46:06:
> what means intact? all meanings of this word
Well, the American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000, says it means "1. Remaining sound, entire, or uninjured; not impaired in any way. 2. Having all physical parts, especially: a. Having the hymen unbroken. b. Not castrated".
In this context, it specifically means not having had the foreskin removed by circumcision. The dictionary quote makes an excellent parallel; circumcision is in some respects, a step toward castration; loss of male sexual function.
The specific reason for using the term "intact" rather than "un-circumcised" is that the latter term suggests that in some fashion, circumcision is a more desirable or complete state than being intact, which is the very opposite of the truth. The foreskin has extremely important sensory (feeling), protective and mechanical (literally acts as a coupling, buffer and lubricant retaining "boot" during sexual intercourse) functions, and while its loss does not prevent the enjoyment of sex, it substantially diminishes it.
In discussion of circumcision, the term "intact" conveys the concept of completeness and "fully functional" much better than the somewhat negative-sounding "un-circumcised".