1. 1. Of, relating to, or designating the sex that has organs to produce spermatozoa for fertilizing ova.
   2. Characteristic of or appropriate to this sex; masculine.
   3. Consisting of members of this sex.
2. Virile; manly.
3. Botany.
   1. Relating to or designating organs, such as anthers or antheridia, that produce gametes capable of fertilizing those produced by female organs.
   2. Bearing stamens but not pistils; staminate: male flowers.
4. Designating an object, such as an electric plug, configured for insertion into a recessed part or socket.

1. A member of the sex that begets young by fertilizing ova.
2. A man or boy.
3. Botany. A plant having only staminate flowers.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin masculus, diminutive of mās, male.]

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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.