1a. Of or denoting the sex that produces ova or bears young. b. Characteristic of or appropriate to this sex; feminine. c. Consisting of members of this sex. See Usage Note at lady. 2.Botanya. Designating an organ, such as a pistil or ovary, that functions in producing seeds after fertilization. b. Bearing pistils but not stamens; pistillate: female flowers.3. Having a recessed part, such as a slot or receptacle, designed to receive a complementary male part: the female section of an electrical outlet.
NOUN:
1. A member of the sex that produces ova or bears young. 2. A woman or girl. 3.Botany A plant having only pistillate flowers.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, alteration (influenced by male, male) of femelle, from Old French, from Latin fmella, diminutive of fmina, woman. See dh(i)- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:
femaleness —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
female, feminine, womanlike, womanly, womanish, effeminate, ladylike These adjectives mean of or characteristic of women. Female categorizes any living thing by gender or sex: the female population; a female kitten; a female plant.Feminine refers to what is considered characteristic of women: feminine intuition.Womanlike applies to qualities of a woman: womanlike resolve.Womanly describes qualities regarded as becoming to a woman: womanly sympathy.Womanish suggests qualities associated with or suggestive of women: womanish attitudes.Effeminate applies to men who exhibit attributes traditionally associated with women: an effeminate actor.Ladylike applies to what is regarded as befitting refined or well-mannered women: ladylike manners.
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