epicene

[ ep-i-seen ]

adjective

1. lacking the typical characteristics of a particular gender or sex; sexless:

   Fashions in clothing are becoming increasingly epicene.

2. flaccid; feeble; weak:

   an epicene style of writing.

3. effeminate; unmasculine.
4. (of Greek and Latin nouns) of the same gender class regardless of the sex of the individual referred to, as the grammatically feminine Latin vulpēs “fox.”
5. Grammar. (of a noun or pronoun) capable of referring to any individual regardless of sex, as attendant, chairperson, Pat, one, or they; having common gender.

noun

1. a person or thing that is epicene.

epicene

/ ˈɛpɪˌsiːn /

adjective

1. having the characteristics of both sexes; hermaphroditic
2. of neither sex; sexless
3. effeminate
4. grammar
   1. denoting a noun that may refer to a male or a female, such as teacher as opposed to businessman or shepherd
   2. (in Latin, Greek, etc) denoting a noun that retains the same grammatical gender regardless of the sex of the referent

noun

1. an epicene person or creature
2. an epicene noun

Derived Forms

• ˌepiˈcenism, noun

Other Words From

• epi·cenism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of epicene¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin epicoenus “of both genders,” from Greek epíkoinos “common to many,” equivalent to epi- epi- + koinós “common”

Word History and Origins

Origin of epicene¹

C15: from Latin epicoenus of both genders, from Greek epikoinos common to many, from koinos common

Example Sentences

There’s something of the Thin White Duke about Thomson — his author photo is rakish and epicene — but it’s more than that.

From New York Times

They looked very much alike, with heavy dark-blond hair and epicene faces as clear, as cheerful and grave, as a couple of Flemish angels.

From Literature

There was something fluid, almost epicene, about his lean body, and it made her remember that he had told her he did yoga.

From Literature

His name is Strat, and he is played with beguiling epicene virility and lungs of steel by the willowy Andrew Polec.

From New York Times

In “Los Angeles Plays Itself,” still the best documentary ever made about the city and its architecture, director Thom Andersen wonders why “modernist architecture connotes epicene villainy” in so many movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• effeminate
• unmanful
• unmanlike
• unmanly
• unmasculine