clitoris

[ klit-er-is, kli-tawr-is ]

nounplural clit·o·ris·es, clit·o·ri·des [kli-tawr-uh-deez]. /ˌklɪˈtɔr əˌdiz/. Anatomy, Zoology.
  1. the erectile organ of the vulva, used exclusively for sexual arousal and stimulation: located inside of the vulva except for the protruding glans.

Origin of clitoris

1
First recorded in 1605–15; from Greek kleitorís, akin to kleíein “to shut”

Other words from clitoris

  • clit·o·ral, cli·tor·ic [kli-tawr-ik, -tor-], /klɪˈtɔr ɪk, -ˈtɒr-/, clit·o·rid·e·an [klit-uh-rid-ee-uhn], /ˌklɪt əˈrɪd i ən/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for clitoris

clitoris

/ (ˈklɪtərɪs, ˈklaɪ-) /


noun
  1. a part of the female genitalia consisting of a small elongated highly sensitive erectile organ at the front of the vulva: homologous with the penis

Origin of clitoris

1
C17: from New Latin, from Greek kleitoris; related to Greek kleiein to close

Derived forms of clitoris

  • clitoral, adjective

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 clitoris

clitoris

[ klĭtər-ĭs, klĭ-tôrĭs ]


  1. A sensitive external organ of the reproductive system in female mammals and some other animals that is capable of becoming erect. It is located above or in front of the urethra.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.