transvestism

[ trans-ves-tiz-uhm, tranz- ]

noun

1. Psychiatry. the practice, especially of those assigned male at birth, of wearing clothing usually associated with a different gender.
2. Older Use: Often Offensive. the practice of crossdressing.

Other Words From

• trans·ves·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transvestism¹

First recorded in 1925–30; from German Transvestismus, from Latin trāns- trans- + vest(īre) “to clothe, dress” ( vest ( def ) ) + German -ismus -ism

Example Sentences

As I have already pointed out, transvestism in either women or men by no means necessarily involves inversion.

From Project Gutenberg