genital

(jeni təl)

adjective

  1. of reproduction or the sexual organs
  2. Psychoanalysis
    1. designating or of the third stage of infantile psychosexual development in which interest centers around the genital organs
    2. designating or of the adult or final stage of psychosexual development in which conflicts have been resolved, libidinal drives regulated, and character structure integrated

Origin: ME < OFr < L genitalis < genitus, pp. of genere, gignere, to beget: see genus

See genital in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Of or relating to biological reproduction.
  2. Of or relating to the genitals.
  3. Of or relating to the final stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory, beginning in puberty and during which the genitals again become the focus of gratification, and interest develops in relationships with persons of the opposite sex. The genital stage is preceded by the latency period.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin genitālis

Origin: , from genitus

Origin: , past participle of gignere, to beget; see genə- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • genˈi·tal·ly adverb

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