clitoris

American  

[klit-er-is, kli-tawr-is] / ˈklɪt ər ɪs, klɪˈtɔr ɪs /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

clitorises, clitorides

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.

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clitoris British  

/ 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

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clitoris Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• clitoral adjective
• clitoric adjective
• clitoridean adjective

Etymology

Origin of clitoris

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

Explanation

The clitoris is a female sexual organ. A certain type of embryonic tissue develops either into a penis, in male babies, or a clitoris, in female babies. Like the penis, the clitoris has many sensitive nerve endings. It is located at the anterior end of the vulva.

Example Sentences

Her co-authored paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B Journal this week locates the clitoris in a female snake's tail.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2022

In a paper published Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, scientists provide the first proper scientific description of the hemiclitores, or a bifurcated clitoris in female snakes.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2022

In 2005 Australian urologist Helen O’Connell thrust the full anatomy of the clitoris into the public eye.

From Scientific American • Mar. 4, 2020

Do you feel uncomfortable saying the word clitoris?

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2019

Indeed, besides other resemblances the monkey has mammæ, a clitoris, nymphs, uterus, uvula, eye-lobes, nails, as in the human species; it also lacks a suspensory ligament of the neck.

From Lamarck, the Founder of Evolution His Life and Work by Packard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring)