male

¹

[ meyl ]

adjective

1. having or relating to a gender identity that corresponds to a complex, variable set of social and cultural roles, traits, and behaviors assigned to people of the sex that typically produces sperm cells.
2. 1. Biology. of, relating to, or being an animal or human of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces sperm cells during reproduction.
   2. Botany. designating or relating to a plant or its reproductive structure producing or containing microspores.
   3. Botany. (of seed plants) staminate.
3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a male person; masculine:

   a male voice.

4. comprising male people:

   a male choir.

5. Machinery. made to fit into a corresponding open or recessed part: Compare female ( def 5 ).

   a male plug.

noun

1. a male person.
2. Biology. an animal, plant, or plant structure that normally produces sperm cells as part of the process of reproduction.

Male

²

[ mah-ley, -lee ]

noun

1. a city in and the capital of the Maldives.

male-

³

1. a combining form meaning “evil,” occurring in loanwords from Latin:

   malediction.

male

¹

/ meɪl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating the sex producing gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova)
2. of, relating to, or characteristic of a man; masculine
3. for or composed of men or boys

   a male choir

4. (of gametes) capable of fertilizing an egg cell in sexual reproduction
5. (of reproductive organs, such as a testis or stamen) capable of producing male gametes
6. (of flowers) bearing stamens but lacking a functional pistil
7. electronics mechanical engineering having a projecting part or parts that fit into a female counterpart

   a male plug

noun

1. a male person, animal, or plant

Malé

²

/ ˈmɑːleɪ /

noun

1. the capital of the Republic of Maldives, on Malé Island in the centre of the island group. Pop: 90 000 (2005 est)

male

/ māl /

Adjective

1. In organisms that reproduce sexually, being the gamete that is smaller and more motile than the other corresponding gamete of the same species (the female gamete). The sperm cells of higher animals and plants are male gametes.
2. Possessing or being a structure that produces only male gametes. The testicles of humans are male reproductive organs. Male flowers possess only stamens and no carpels.

Noun

1. A male organism.

Derived Forms

• ˈmaleness, noun

Other Words From

• male·ness noun
• an·ti·male noun adjective
• in·ter·male adjective
• su·per·male noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of male¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French ma(s)le, from Latin masculus; masculine

Origin of male²

From Latin; mal-

Word History and Origins

Origin of male¹

C14: via Old French from Latin masculus masculine

Synonym Study

See man. Male, masculine, virile are adjectives that describe men and boys or attributes and conduct culturally ascribed to them. Male, which is applied to plants and animals as well as to human beings, is often used as a biological or physiological descriptor, classifying individuals on the basis of their potential or actual ability to inseminate in bisexual reproduction. It contrasts with female in all such uses: his oldest male relative; the male parts of the flower. Masculine refers essentially to qualities, characteristics, or behaviors deemed by a culture or society to be especially appropriate to or ideally associated with men and boys. In American and Western European culture, these have traditionally included features such as strength, forthrightness, and courage: a firm, masculine handshake; a masculine impatience at indecision. Virile implies a vigor and muscularity associated with mature manhood and often carries a suggestion of sexual or procreative potency: his virile good looks; a swaggering, virile walk. manly.

Related Words

• masculine