Nearby Words

sexual

[sek-shoo-uhl or, especially Brit., seks-yoo-] Origin

sex·u·al

[sek-shoo-uhl or, especially Brit., seks-yoo-]
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or for sex: sexual matters; sexual aids.
2.
occurring between or involving the sexes: sexual relations.
3.
having sexual organs or reproducing by processes involving both sexes.

Origin:
1645–55; < Late Latin sexuālis, equivalent to sexu(s) sex + -ālis -al1

sex·u·al·ly, adverb
an·ti·sex·u·al, adjective
an·ti·sex·u·al·ly, adverb
non·sex·u·al, adjective, noun
non·sex·u·al·ly, adverb
EXPAND
un·sex·u·al, adjective
un·sex·u·al·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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World English Dictionary
sexual (ˈsɛksjʊəl)
 
adj
1.  of, relating to, or characterized by sex or sexuality
2.  Compare asexual (of reproduction) characterized by the union of male and female gametes
 
[C17: from Late Latin sexuālis; see sex]
 
'sexually
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

sexual
1650s, "of or pertaining to the fact of being male or female," from L.L. sexualis "relating to sex," from L. sexus (see sex). Meaning "pertaining to copulation or generation" is from 1799 (in sexual intercourse). Sexuality "capability of sexual feelings" is from 1879. Sexual
EXPAND
revolution first attested 1970 in Kate Millett.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

sexual sex·u·al (sěk'sh&oomacr;-əl)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, involving, or characteristic of sex, sexuality, the sexes, or the sex organs and their functions.

  2. Implying or symbolizing erotic desires or activity.

  3. Of, relating to, or involving the union of male and female gametes.


sex'u·al·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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