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virile

 - 5 dictionary results

vir⋅ile

  [vir-uhl or, especially Brit., -ahyl]
Use virile in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly: virile strength.
2. having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree.
3. characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit: a virile literary style.
4. of, pertaining to, or capable of procreation.
Origin:
1480–90; < L virīlis manly, equiv. to vir man (akin to OE wer man; see werewolf ) + -īlis -ile

Synonyms:
2. vigorous. See male.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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vir·ile   (vîr'əl, -īl')   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male.

  2. Having or showing masculine spirit, strength, vigor, or power. See Synonyms at male.

  3. Capable of performing sexually as a male; potent.


[Middle English, from Old French viril, from Latin virīlis, from vir, man; see wī-ro- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

virile 
1490, from O.Fr. viril, from L. virilis "of a man, manly," from vir "a man, a hero," from PIE *uiHro "freeman" (cf. Skt. virah, Avestan vira-, Lith. vyras, O.Ir. fer, Welsh gwr, Goth. wair, O.E. wer "man"). Virile member for "penis" is recorded from 1541. Virility "period of manhood" is attested from 1586; meaning "manly strength" is recorded from 1603.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vir·ile
Pronunciation: 'vir-&l, 'vi(&)r-"Il, Brit also 'vI(&)r-"Il
Function: adjective
1 : having the nature,properties, or qualities of an adult male; specifically : capable of functioning as a male in copulation
2 : characteristic of or associated with men : MASCULINE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

virile vir·ile (vēr'əl, -īl')
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male, especially the ability to perform sexually as a male.

  2. Having or showing masculine spirit, strength, vigor, or power.

  3. Sexually potent.

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