Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Prurience · Pru·ri·ence · IPA /ˈpɹʊəɹiəns/ 01 n. The quality or state of being prurient. 1. The quality or state of being prurient. “The pruriency of curious ears.” — Burke. “There is a prurience in the speech of some.” — Cowper.