male-


male

(meɪl)

n. 1. a person bearing an Xand Ychromosome pair in the cell nuclei and normally having a penis, scrotum, and testicles and developing hair on the face at adolescence; a boy or man. 2. an organism of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces a sperm cell or male gamete. 3. a plant having a stamen or stamens. adj. 4. of, pertaining to, or being a male: the male skeleton; a male squirrel. 5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a boy or man; masculine: the male ego. 6. composed of males: a male choir. 7. a. of or pertaining to a plant or its reproductive structure producing or containing microspores. b. (of seed plants) staminate. 8. made to fit into a corresponding open or recessed part: a male plug. [1300–50; Middle English < Middle French ma(s)le < Latin masculus] male′ness, n.

Ma•le

(ˈmɑ leɪ, -li)

n. the capital of the Maldives. 46,334.

male-

a combining form meaning “evil,” occurring in loanwords from Latin: malediction. Compare mal-. [< Latin; see mal-]