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female Definition

fe·male (māl′)

adjective

  1. designating or of the sex that produces ova and bears offspring: biological symbol, ♀
  2. of, characteristic of, or suitable to members of this sex; feminine
  3. consisting of women or girls
  4. designating or having a hollow part shaped to receive a corresponding inserted part (called male): said of pipe fittings, electric sockets, etc.
  5. Bot.
    1. having pistils, archegonia, or oogonia and no stamens or antheridia
    2. designating or of a reproductive structure or part containing large gametes (eggs) that can be fertilized by smaller, motile gametes (sperms)
    3. designating or of any structure or part that produces fruit after it is fertilized

Etymology: ME, altered after male < femelle < OFr < L femella, dim. of femina, a woman < IE base *dhē-, to suck, suckle > L felare, to suck, filius, son, fetus, progeny, Gr thēlazein, to suckle, thele, nipple

noun

  1. a female person; woman or girl
  2. a female animal or plant

female Related Forms

fe·male·ness noun

female Synonyms

female

modif.

  1. Feminine

    womanly, womanlike, ladylike; see feminine 2.

  2. Belonging to the female sex

    oviparous, reproductive, fertile, childbearing, pistillate, pistil-bearing, of the female gender, distaff, ""more deadly than the male, '' she*.

    Antonyms masculine, male*, staminate.

female Synonyms

female

n.

woman, lady, girl; see woman See syn. study at woman.

female Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • lactate: Can be used safely on all animals, even pregnant or lactating females.
  • perch: Eventually I managed to get flight views of a male Rustic, and good views of a perched female - what a relief!
  • chase: They need space as the male chases the female in an essential part of the mating process.
  • trap: We have lent Maria one of our traps so that she can trap any females and they can be neutered at Martina's clinic.

Adjective modifier

  • dominant: Beth is now a dominant female in this group.
  • elderly: In 1994, however, the first case was described in the skeleton of an elderly female from a medieval cemetery in London.
  • mature: Mature males have very short life-spans, while mature females can go on for many years.
  • middle-aged: Lupus ( Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ) SLE is a generalized connective tissue disorder tending to affect middle-aged females.
  • naked: So because Zombie Lake has very little to hold your interest, we get plenty of naked females - and I do mean plenty!
  • old: Lifespan Males live up to 25 years old, females up to 35 years old.

Modifies a noun

  • vocalist: Self contained with quality p.a. & lighting system. fronted by male & female vocalists - backed by funky horns & groovy rhythm section.
  • singer: Which female singer provided lead vocals for the group?
  • athlete: Two of the biggest names and most inspirational female athletes on the World Cup Circuit.
  • mutilation: The RCM campaigns for better support for women who are pregnant in prison, or suffering domestic violence or female genital mutilation.
  • vocal: The female vocals are great just sometimes creative too make for easy listening.
  • hormone: I would have a word with your vet, maybe he will consider some female hormone to calm him down.

Noun used with modifier

  • alpha: According to the reports no litters had been produced after the alpha female had been spayed when she experienced difficulties giving birth.
  • adult: Adult females had a distinctly strong jaw, present in some modern islanders.

Preposition: with

calf: She sold 96 alpacas from females with calves, yearling females to geld males.

Preposition: than

male: Statistically speaking, it does tend to affect more females than males.

Browse dictionary entries near female

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  1. feme sole
  2. feminine
  3. femininity
  4. feminism
  5. feminize
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  8. femme fatale
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