sex

Sex is the gender of an person, female or male. Sex is any function or behavior involved with reproduction.

(noun)

  1. An example of sex is female.
  2. An example of sex is an act to create a baby.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See sex in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. either of the two divisions, male or female, into which persons, animals, or plants are divided, with reference to their reproductive functions
  2. the character of being male or female; all the attributes by which males and females are distinguished
  3. anything connected with sexual gratification or reproduction or the urge for these; esp., the attraction of those of one sex for those of the other
  4. intercourse (sense )
  5. the genitalia

Origin: ME < L sexus < ? secare, to cut, divide: see saw

adjective

sexual: sex education

transitive verb

to ascertain the sex of (chickens, etc.)

six

Origin: < L sex, six

See sex in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The property or quality by which organisms are classified as female or male on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions.
    b. Either of the two divisions, designated female and male, of this classification.
  2. Females or males considered as a group.
  3. The condition or character of being female or male; the physiological, functional, and psychological differences that distinguish the female and the male. See Usage Note at gender.
  4. The sexual urge or instinct as it manifests itself in behavior.
  5. Sexual intercourse.
  6. The genitals.
transitive verb sexed, sex·ing, sex·es
  1. To determine the sex of (an organism).
  2. Slang
    a. To arouse sexually. Often used with up.
    b. To increase the appeal or attractiveness of. Often used with up.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin sexus

.

prefix
Six: sexpartite.

Origin:

Origin: Latin

Origin: , from sex, six; see s(w)eks in Indo-European roots

.

See sex in Ologies

Sex

See also homosexuality; male; women.

algolagnia

the finding of sexual pleasure in suffering or inflicting physical pain; sadomasochism. —algolagnist, n. —algolagnic, adj.

amphierotism

Rare. bisexualism. —amphierotic, adj.

anaphrodisia

Medicine. the absence or loss of sexual desire. Also called sexual anesthesia.

andromania

nymphomania.

aphrodisia

an extreme state of sexual desire.

aphrodisiac

a food or other substance that creates sexual desire. —aphrodisiac, adj.

aphrodisiomania

a mania for sexual pleasure.

autoeroticism

Psychoanalysis. the arousal and satisfaction of sexual desires within or by oneself, usually by masturbation. Also autoerotism. —autoerotic, adj.

bawdry

1. Archaic. the practice or occupation of being a bawd or procurer.

2. Obsolete, fornication or unlawful intercourse.

bestiality

sexual relations between a person and an animal. See also behavior.

biomagnetism

1. animal magnetism, or the power that enables some people to induce a hypnotic state in others.

2. physical attraction between members of the sexes. —biomagnetic, adj.

bisexualism, bisexuality

the state of being sexually responsive or attracted to members of both sexes. Also called amphierotism. See also body, human. —bisexual, adj.

carnality

the practice of finding satisfaction in activities related to fleshly desires and appetites, especially the sexual. — carnal, adj.

coitophobia

an abnormal fear of sexual intercourse. Also called genophobia.

coprophilia

1. the use of obscene or scatological language for sexual gratification.

2. a love of obscenity.

3. Psychiatry. an abnormal interest in feces, especially as a source of sexual excitement.

cryptorchidism

the failure of one or both testes to descend normally. —cryp-torchid, n., adj.

defloration

the act of having sexual intercourse with a virgin; devirgination.

devirgination

Obsolete, the deflowering of a virgin. Also called defloration.

edeomania

an obsession with genitals.

eonism

Psychiatry. the adoption, by a male, of feminine mannerisms, clothing, etc. Also called transvestism, transvestitism.

epicenism

the state or quality of combining characteristics of both sexes. —epicenity, n. —epicene, adj.

eroticism

1. the erotic or sexual quality of something.

2. the use of sexually arousing or stimulating materials in literature, drama, art, etc.

3. the condition of being sexually stimulated.

4. a sexual drive or tendency.

5. an abnormally persistent sexual drive. Also erotism.

eroticomania

an abnormal interest in erotica.

erotographomania

an abnormal interest in erotic literature.

erotology

the study of sex as a skill.

erotomania

abnormal or uncontrollable sexual desire. —erotomaniac, n., adj.

erotophobia

an abnormal fear of sexual feelings and their physical expression.

estrus, oestrus

the condition of being in rut or sexual arousal, applied particularly to the female. Also called est rum, oestrum. —estrous, oestrous, adj.

eunuchism

1. the process or tradition of castrating males.

2. the state of being a eunuch.

fetishism, fetichism

Psychiatry. the compulsive use of some object or part of the body as a sexual stimulus, as a shoe, underclothes, a lock of hair, etc. —fetishist, fetichist, n. —fetishistic, fetichistic, adj.

flagellation

whipping or flogging, either as a religious practice for the mortification of the flesh, or as a sexual activity, for sado-masochistic pleasure. —flagellant, n., adj. —flagellator, n.

free-lovism

the doctrine or practice of having sexual relations without marriage or any other commitment to an obligation.

frottage

the act of rubbing against another person for sexual gratification. —frotteur, n.

genesiology

the study of reproduction.

genophobia

coitophobia.

gerontophilia

a sexual attraction to the elderly. —gerontophile. n. —geronto-philic, adj.

gynecomania

satyriasis.

harlotry

the state or practice of being a harlot or prostitute.

hetaerism, hetairism

1. the practice of concubinage.

2. a social system characterized by its regarding women as common property. —hetaerist, hetairist, n. —hetaeristic, hetairistic, adj.

hysteromania

nymphomania.

inflbulation

the act and practice of attaching a clasp, ring, or other device to the genital organs to prevent sexual intercourse. See also captivity.

ithyphallicism

the worship of an erect phallus or the use of a representation of one in ritual. —ithyphallic, adj.

lechery

immoderate indulgence of sexual desire; lewd and lustful behavior. —lecher, lecherer, n. —lecherous, adj.

libido

Psychoanalysis. the force or psychic energy behind human action, especially the sexual urge. —libidinous, adj.

lubricity

lewd or lecherous behavior or attitude; lasciviousness. —lubricious, adj.

mentulomania

an obsession with the penis.

monoecism

the condition of having both male and female sex organs in an individual. —monoecious, adj.

necrophilia

a sexual attraction to the dead. — necrophile, n. — necrophilic, adj.

necrosadism

the mutilation of a corpse in order to excite or satisfy sexual urges. —necrosadist, n.

nymphomania

Pathology. an excessive sexual desire in a female. Also called andromania, hysteromania, oestromania, uteromania. Cf. satyriasis. —nymphomaniac, n., adj. —nymphomaniacal, adj.

oestromania

nymphomania.

oestrus

estrus.

onanism

1. the practice of preejaculatory withdrawal during intercourse.

2. masturbation. — onanist, n. —onanistic, adj.

orchidomania

an obsession with testicles.

panderism

1. the practice of acting as a go-between in amorous intrigues.

2. the action of soliciting customers for a prostitute or of procuring women for sexual purposes. Also panderage.

paraphilia

the practice of, indulgence in, or addiction to unusual sexual activities. —paraphilic, adj.

paraphobia

an abnormal fear of sexual perversion.

partialism

1. an emphasis of sexual interest upon one part of the body.

2. a form of fetishism in which the sexual stimulus is a part of the body, as pictures of feet.

pornographomania

an abnormal interest in pornography.

priapism

1. Pathology. a continuous erection of the penis, especially as the result of a disease.

2. a prurient action or display. —priapismic, adj.

proxenetism

the practice of pimping by females. — proxenetist, n.

prurience, pruriency

an inclination toward lewdness or lustfulness; lustful behavior. —prurient, adj.

salacity

1. lewdness of speech.

2. lustful or lecherous behavior. —salacious, adj.

satyriasis

Pathology. an abnormal, uncontrollable sexual desire in men. Also called gynecomania, satyrism, satyromania. Cf. nymphomania. —satyr, n. —satyric, adj.

scopophilia

Psychiatry.

1. Also called passive scopophilia. the deriving of sexual pleasure from viewing nude bodies, sexual acts, or erotic photographs; voyeurism.

2. Also called active scopophilia, scoptophilia. an abnormal desire to be seen, especially genitally; exhibitionism. —scopophiliac, n. —scopophilic, adj.

sexology

the study of normal and abnormal sexual behavior. —sexologist, n. —sexological, adj.

sexual anesthesia

anaphrodisia.

sexualism

emphasis upon sex as being a prime concern in life.

transsexualism

the psychological phenomenon of a person identifying with the opposite sex, sometimes to the extent of undergoing surgery for change of sex. —transsexual, n., adj.

transvestism

eonism.

ustulation

Obsolete, a burning sexual desire; a lustful passion.

uteromania

nymphomania.

venery

Archaic. sexual activity; the gratification of sexual impulses.

voyeurism

the practice of gaining sexual gratification by looking at sexual acts, erotic pictures, etc. —voyeur, n. —voyeuristic, adj.

whoredom

the act or practice of prostitution.

whoremongery

1. the practice of being a whoremaster, or whoremonger.

2. the actions or behavior of a whoremaster, or whoremonger.

zoophilia

a desire for sexual activity with animals. —zoophilist, n. —zoophilic, zoophilous, adj.

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