clitoris

[ klit-er-is, kli-tawr-is ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.

, plural clit·o·ris·es, clit·o·ri·des [kli-, tawr, -, uh, -deez].

1. the erectile organ of the vulva, used exclusively for sexual arousal and stimulation: located inside of the vulva except for the protruding glans.
2. glans clitoris ( def ).

clitoris

/ ˈklɪtərɪs; ˈklaɪ- /

noun

1. a part of the female genitalia consisting of a small elongated highly sensitive erectile organ at the front of the vulva: homologous with the penis

clitoris

/ klĭt′ər-ĭs,klĭ-tôr′ĭs /

1. A sensitive external organ of the reproductive system in female mammals and some other animals that is capable of becoming erect. It is located above or in front of the urethra.

Derived Forms

• ˈclitoral, adjective

Other Words From

• clit·o·ral cli·tor·ic [kli-, tawr, -ik, -, tor, -], clit·o·rid·e·an [klit-, uh, -, rid, -ee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clitoris¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Greek kleitorís, akin to kleíein “to shut”

Word History and Origins

Origin of clitoris¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek kleitoris; related to Greek kleiein to close