adj.
- Of, relating to, or designating the sex that has organs to produce spermatozoa for fertilizing ova.
- Characteristic of or appropriate to this sex; masculine.
- Consisting of members of this sex.
- Virile; manly.
- Botany.
- Relating to or designating organs, such as anthers or antheridia, that produce gametes capable of fertilizing those produced by female organs.
- Bearing stamens but not pistils; staminate: male flowers.
- Designating an object, such as an electric plug, configured for insertion into a recessed part or socket.
- A member of the sex that begets young by fertilizing ova.
- A man or boy.
- Botany. A plant having only staminate flowers.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin masculus, diminutive of mās, male.]
maleness male'ness n.SYNONYMS male, masculine, manlike, manly, manful, virile, mannish. These adjectives mean of, relating to, or characteristic of men. Male categorizes any living thing by gender or sex: the male population; a male puppy; a male plant. Masculine refers to what is considered characteristic of men: a masculine voice. Manlike applies to qualities of a man (manlike fortitude) or resemblance to a human (manlike apes). Manly describes qualities regarded as becoming to a man: manly strength. Manful suggests bravery and resoluteness: a manful display of chivalry. Virile stresses the vigor, power, or sexual potency of an adult male: "The virile figure of Theodore Roosevelt swung down the national highway" (Edward Bok). Mannish usually applies to women or their traits, clothing, or actions when they seem masculine: a mannish suit.
