Hermaphrodite
[hɜː'mæfrədaɪt] or [hɝ'mæfrədaɪt]
Definition
(noun.) one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made.
Editor: Megan--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) An individual which has the attributes of both male and female, or which unites in itself the two sexes; an animal or plant having the parts of generation of both sexes, as when a flower contains both the stamens and pistil within the same calyx, or on the same receptacle. In some cases reproduction may take place without the union of the distinct individuals. In the animal kingdom true hermaphrodites are found only among the invertebrates. See Illust. in Appendix, under Helminths.
(a.) Including, or being of, both sexes; as, an hermaphrodite animal or flower.
Typist: Theodore
Definition
n. an animal or a plant in which the two sexual characteristics are united: an abnormal individual in whom are united the properties of both sexes.—adj. uniting the distinctions of both sexes.—ns. Hermaph′rodism Hermaph′roditism the union of the two sexes in one body.—adjs. Hermaphrodit′ic -al pertaining to a hermaphrodite: partaking of both sexes.—Hermaphrodite brig a brig square-rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft.
Checker: Neil
Examples
- But still there are many hermaphrodite animals which certainly do not habitually pair, and a vast majority of plants are hermaphrodites. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Of aquatic animals, there are many self-fertilising hermaphrodites; but here the currents of water offer an obvious means for an occasional cross. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Turning for a brief space to animals: various terrestrial species are hermaphrodites, such as the land-mollusca and earth-worms; but these all pair. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- But still there are many hermaphrodite animals which certainly do not habitually pair, and a vast majority of plants are hermaphrodites. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
Editor: Quentin