epicene

(epi sēn′)

adjective

  1. designating a noun, as in Latin or Greek, having only one grammatical form to denote an individual of either sex
  2. belonging to one sex but having characteristics of the other, or of neither; specif., effeminate; unmanly

Origin: ME < L epicoenus < Gr epikoinos, common < epi-, upon, to + koinos, common: see com-

noun

an epicene person

See epicene in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Belonging to or having the characteristics of both the male and the female: an epicene statue.
  2. Effeminate; unmanly.
  3. Sexless; neuter.
  4. Linguistics Having only one form of the noun for both the male and the female.
noun
  1. One that is epicene.
  2. Linguistics An epicene word.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, having only one form of the noun for either gender

Origin: , from Latin epicoenus

Origin: , from Greek epikoinos, in common

Origin: : epi-, epi-

Origin: + koinos, common; see kom in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • epˈi·cenˌism noun

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