virility
pronunciation
How to pronounce virility in British English:
UK [vəˈrɪləti]
How to pronounce virility in American English:
US [vəˈrɪlɪti]
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- Noun:
- the property of being capable of copulation and procreation
- the trait of being manly; having the characteristics of an adult male
Word Origin
- virility (n.)
- "period of manhood," 1580s, from Middle French virilité, from Latin virilitatem (nominative virilitas) "manhood," from virilis (see virile). Meaning "power of procreation, capacity for sexua intercourse" is from 1590s; sense of "manly strength" is recorded from c. 1600.
Example
- 1. Conservative americans like to contrast the vigour and virility of their own country with the decadence and decline of europe .
- 2. Put succinctly , homeownership has become the ultimate symbol of virility in today 's china .
- 3. There were moments , he concedes , when he feared mortensen might be bringing a little too much virility to the part .
- 4. Politicians are obsessed with assembly plants , which some see as a symbol of national virility .
- 5. Research , he says , indicates they may actually increase virility .