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male
3 dictionary results for: maleness
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
male       [meyl] Pronunciation Key
–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).
[Origin: 1300–50; ME < MF ma(s)le < L masculus. See masculine]

—Related forms
maleness, noun

—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.
—Antonyms female.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
male       (māl)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
    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.
    4. Relating to or designating organs, such as anthers or antheridia, that produce gametes capable of fertilizing those produced by female organs.
    5. Bearing stamens but not pistils; staminate: male flowers.
  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.

n.  
  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.]

male'ness n.
Synonyms: 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.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
maleness

noun
the properties characteristic of the male sex [ant: femaleness] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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