hermaphrodite
pronunciation
How to pronounce hermaphrodite in British English:
UK [hɜ:ˈmæfrədaɪt]
How to pronounce hermaphrodite in American English:
US [hɜrˈmæfrədaɪt]
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- Noun:
- one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
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- Adjective:
- of animal or plant; having both male female reproductive organs
Word Origin
- hermaphrodite
- hermaphrodite: [15] Biologically a combination of male and female, hermaphrodite is etymologically a blend of the names of Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods, and Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. According to Ovid Hermaphródītos, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, was beloved of the nymph Salmacis with an ardour so strong that she prayed for complete union with him – with the result that their two bodies became fused into one, with dual sexual characteristics. English acquired the term via Latin hermaphrodītus.
- hermaphrodite (n.)
- late 14c. (harmofroditus), from Latin hermaphroditus, from Greek Hermaphroditos (Latin Hermaphroditus), son of Hermes and Aphrodite, who, in Ovid, was loved by the nymph Salmacis so ardently that she prayed for complete union with him and as a result they were united bodily, combining male and female characteristics. Also used figuratively in Middle English of "one who improperly occupies two offices." As a name for the condition, Middle English had hermofrodito (late 14c.), hermofrodisia (early 15c.). As an adjective, from c. 1600.
Example
- 1. It now appears that ms semenya is indeed a hermaphrodite .
- 2. It is also a hermaphrodite , fertilising itself to produce clones .
- 3. Are you a hermaphrodite ? Do you have hantavirus ?
- 4. They want the illusion , not some green room hermaphrodite .
- 5. You are the hermaphrodite cheerleader from long island ?