noun
1.
a person bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell nuclei and normally having a penis, scrotum, and testicles, and developing hair on the face at adolescence; a boy or man.
2.
an organism of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces a sperm cell or male gamete.
3.
Botany. a staminate plant.
adjective
4.
of, pertaining to, or being a male animal or plant.
5.
pertaining to or characteristic of a male person; masculine: a male voice.
6.
composed of males: a male choir.
7.
Botany.
a.
designating or pertaining to a plant or its reproductive structure producing or containing microspores.
b.
(of seed plants) staminate.
8.
Machinery. made to fit into a corresponding open or recessed part: a male plug. Compare female ( def 8 ).
00:10
Male
is always a great word to know.
So is bryophytes. Does it mean:
| green coloring of leaves and plants needed for photosynthesis |
| phylum of green, nonvascular, seedless plants comprised of true mosses, hornworts and liverworts |
Related forms
male·ness, noun
an·ti·male, noun, adjective
in·ter·male, adjective
su·per·male, noun
Can be confused: 1. mail, male ; 2. male, masculine, macho (see synonym study at the current entry).
Synonyms
1. See man. 4–7. Male, masculine, virile are adjectives that describe men and boys or attributes and conduct culturally ascribed to them. Male which is applied to plants and animals as well as to human beings, is a biological or physiological descriptor, classifying individuals on the basis of their potential or actual ability to inseminate in bisexual reproduction. It contrasts with female in all such uses: his oldest male relative; the male parts of the flower. Masculine refers essentially to qualities, characteristics, or behaviors deemed by a culture or society to be especially appropriate to or ideally associated with men and boys. In American and Western European culture, these have traditionally included features such as strength, forthrightness, and courage: a firm, masculine handshake; a masculine impatience at indecision. Virile implies a vigor and muscularity associated with mature manhood and often carries a suggestion of sexual or procreative potency: his virile good looks; a swaggering, virile walk. See also manly.
1. See man. 4–7. Male, masculine, virile are adjectives that describe men and boys or attributes and conduct culturally ascribed to them. Male which is applied to plants and animals as well as to human beings, is a biological or physiological descriptor, classifying individuals on the basis of their potential or actual ability to inseminate in bisexual reproduction. It contrasts with female in all such uses: his oldest male relative; the male parts of the flower. Masculine refers essentially to qualities, characteristics, or behaviors deemed by a culture or society to be especially appropriate to or ideally associated with men and boys. In American and Western European culture, these have traditionally included features such as strength, forthrightness, and courage: a firm, masculine handshake; a masculine impatience at indecision. Virile implies a vigor and muscularity associated with mature manhood and often carries a suggestion of sexual or procreative potency: his virile good looks; a swaggering, virile walk. See also manly.
Antonyms
female.
female.
leɪ, -li
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To male
Collins
World English Dictionary
Maldives (ˈmɔːlˈdiːvz) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —pl n | |
| Republic of Maldives Also known as: the Maldive Islands a republic occupying an archipelago of 1087 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka: came under British protection in 1887; became independent in 1965 and a republic in 1968; a member of the Commonwealth. The economy and infrastructure were severely damaged in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Official language: Divehi. Official religion: (Sunni) Muslim. Currency: rufiyaa. Capital: Malé. Pop: 328 000 (2004 est). Area: 298 sq km (115 sq miles) | |
| male (meɪl) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | of, relating to, or designating the sex producing gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova) |
| 2. | of, relating to, or characteristic of a man; masculine |
| 3. | for or composed of men or boys: a male choir |
| 4. | (of gametes) capable of fertilizing an egg cell in sexual reproduction |
| 5. | (of reproductive organs, such as a testis or stamen) capable of producing male gametes |
| 6. | (of flowers) bearing stamens but lacking a functional pistil |
| 7. | electronics, mechanical engineering having a projecting part or parts that fit into a female counterpart: a male plug |
| —n | |
| 8. | a male person, animal, or plant |
| [C14: via Old French from Latin masculus | |
| 'maleness | |
| —n | |
| Malé (ˈmɑːleɪ) | |
| —n | |
| the capital of the Republic of Maldives, on Malé Island in the centre of the island group. Pop: 90 000 (2005 est) | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
male
1373, from O.Fr. masle (Fr. mâle), from L. masculus "masculine, male" (cf. Prov. mascle, Sp. macho, It. maschio), dim. of mas (gen. maris) "male person or animal, male." Mechanical sense of "part of an instrument that penetrates another part" is from 1856.
Maldives
probably from Skt. maladvipa "garland of islands," from mala "garland" + dvipa "island."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
male (māl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or designating the sex that has organs to produce spermatozoa for fertilizing ova. n.
A member of the sex that begets young by fertilizing ova.
A man or boy.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
male  (māl) Pronunciation Key
Adjective
Noun A male organism. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences from the web
The society lacks stereotypically male problems such as war, but is stagnant.
If she lays an unfertilized egg it will develop into a male drone.
At this point, the male line ended as there were no more male descendants.
Male mallards will also occasionally chase other males in the same way.
Image for male
Matching Quote
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
