phallus

[ fal-uhs ]

noun

, plural phal·li [fal, -ahy], phal·lus·es.

1. an image of the male reproductive organ, especially that carried in procession in ancient festivals of Dionysus, or Bacchus, symbolizing the generative power in nature.
2. Anatomy. the penis, the clitoris, or the sexually undifferentiated embryonic organ out of which either of these develops.

phallus

/ ˈfæləs /

noun

1. another word for penis
2. an image of the penis, esp as a religious symbol of reproductive power

Word History and Origins

Origin of phallus¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin, from Greek phallós “penis”; bull ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of phallus¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek phallos

Example Sentences

Lawrence being Lawrence, he finds special resonance in the stone symbols of the phallus and the womb.

From Washington Post

But nobody can look at that diagram and think about anything other than an impressively sized phallus.

From The Daily Beast

Recently, a Photoshopped picture of conservative pundit S.E. Cupp with a phallus in her mouth was printed in Hustler magazine.

From The Daily Beast

They share the same last name, wavy hair, sly grin—and fascination with the phallus.

From The Daily Beast

Pulling back his cloak, he shows off his giant phallus bearing forth a bushel of fruit.

From The Daily Beast

Either way, Irwin sees an upside to the current, phallus-ridden version.

From The Daily Beast

The Egyptians carried a gilt phallus, 150 cubits high, at the festivals of Osiris.

From Project Gutenberg

In Syria, at the entrance of the temple at Hieropolis, was placed a human figure with a phallus 120 cubits high.

From Project Gutenberg

The phallus was carried in procession for this purpose and the women dramatized the motive as searching for the god.

From Project Gutenberg

It is said that there are thirty million phalli in India and that a phallus is found in nearly every Hindu household.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus we see the phallus associated with the pine cone and other elements of vegetative life.

From Project Gutenberg