hermaphrodite
Biology. an organism, such as an earthworm or plant, having both male and female reproductive organs at the same time or throughout the lifespan.
Older Use: Offensive.
a person who has both testicular and ovarian tissue.: Compare pseudohermaphrodite.
any intersex person.
something in which two opposite qualities are combined.
Biology. of, relating to, or characteristic of an organism having both male and female reproductive organs.: See also gynandrous.
Botany. monoclinous.
combining two opposite qualities.
Origin of hermaphrodite
1usage note For hermaphrodite
Other words from hermaphrodite
- her·maph·ro·dit·ic [hur-maf-ruh-dit-ik], /hɜrˌmæf rəˈdɪt ɪk/, her·maph·ro·dit·i·cal, adjective
- her·maph·ro·dit·i·cal·ly, adverb
- her·maph·ro·dit·ism [hur-maf-ruh-dahy-tiz-uhm], /hɜrˈmæf rə daɪˌtɪz əm/, her·maph·ro·dism [hur-maf-ruh-diz-uhm], /hɜrˈmæf rəˌdɪz əm/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hermaphrodite in a sentence
This seems to be the only cytological work on the problem of hermaphroditism.
The Organism as a Whole | Jacques LoebIt is obvious that in this case the cause for the hermaphroditism is not disclosed.
The Organism as a Whole | Jacques LoebBy hermaphroditism is meant the existence of complete and separate sets of female and male gonads in the same individual.
The Organism as a Whole | Jacques LoebHow can we reconcile the facts of hermaphroditism with the chromosome theory of sex determination?
The Organism as a Whole | Jacques LoebIn the Lamellibranchiata, or bivalve shells, hermaphroditism is not rare.
British Dictionary definitions for hermaphrodite
/ (hɜːˈmæfrəˌdaɪt) /
biology an individual animal or flower that has both male and female reproductive organs
a person having both male and female sexual characteristics and genital tissues
a person or thing in which two opposite forces or qualities are combined
having the characteristics of a hermaphrodite
Origin of hermaphrodite
1Derived forms of hermaphrodite
- hermaphroditic or hermaphroditical, adjective
- hermaphroditically, adverb
- hermaphroditism, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for hermaphrodite
[ hər-măf′rə-dīt′ ]
An organism, such as an earthworm or flowering plant, having both male and female reproductive organs in a single individual.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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