Hermaphrodite
/hɜːrˈmæfrədaɪt/noun
An organism that possesses both male and female reproductive organs.
Some species of snails are hermaphrodites, having both male and female organs.
Often appears as...
- simultaneous hermaphrodite
- sequential hermaphrodite
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A thing combining two different elements.
The building is a hermaphrodite of modern and traditional architecture.
Often appears as...
- hermaphrodite of design
- hermaphrodite of style
noun
An organism that possesses both male and female reproductive organs.
Some species of snails are hermaphrodites, having both male and female organs.
Often appears as...
- simultaneous hermaphrodite
- sequential hermaphrodite
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A thing combining two different elements.
The building is a hermaphrodite of modern and traditional architecture.
Often appears as...
- hermaphrodite of design
- hermaphrodite of style
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Use in Biology
Mainly used in biology to describe organisms that don't fit into traditional male or female categories.
Earthworms are hermaphrodites and can reproduce without a partner.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be sensitive using this term regarding people; non-biological contexts may prefer 'intersex' or gender identity terms.
It's important to use 'intersex' when discussing human biological characteristics rather than 'hermaphrodite'.
Pro Tip 3/3Sequential Differences
Some hermaphrodites change sex during their life, known as sequential hermaphroditism.
The clownfish starts life as male and may later become female, making it a sequential hermaphrodite.
Compare with
ambiguousandrogynybisexualepicenehybrid
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Video examples
The uncomplicated truth...
It didn't appear to have anything to do with making babies. The leading anatomist at the time declared that it was probably some kind of abnormal growth -- and that any woman who had one was probably a hermaphrodite.
Video examples
Gastronomy and the...
the table that was the collegiate Webster's dictionary which gave me my first big word I was very proud of the word was hermaphrodite but of course I did actual kid things like like fast
Video examples
How Life Begins in the...
The plankton is full of surprises when it comes to sex. Meet the hermaphrodites. These comb jellies and arrow worms produce, store and release both sperm and eggs.
Video examples
The uncomplicated truth...
It didn't appear to have anything to do with making babies. The leading anatomist at the time declared that it was probably some kind of abnormal growth -- and that any woman who had one was probably a hermaphrodite.
Video examples
Gastronomy and the...
the table that was the collegiate Webster's dictionary which gave me my first big word I was very proud of the word was hermaphrodite but of course I did actual kid things like like fast
Video examples
How Life Begins in the...
The plankton is full of surprises when it comes to sex. Meet the hermaphrodites. These comb jellies and arrow worms produce, store and release both sperm and eggs.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Daniel Barenboim
Argentinian Musician
Wagner is contrapuntal in a philosophical way as well as a musical way. What I mean by that is that every tendency has its opposite, and you see that in the man himself. He's a metaphysical hermaphrodite - he embraces hard and soft, masculine and feminine.
Quote examples
David Mamet
American Dramatist
I understand that computers, which I once believed to be but a hermaphrodite typewriter-cum-filing cabinet, offer the cyber literate increased ability to communicate. I do not think this is altogether a bad thing, however it may appear on the surface.
Quote examples
Cate Blanchett
Australian Actress
I think that the benefit of playing someone like Queen Elizabeth is that so much has been written about her, and there's so much speculation about her - was she a hermaphrodite? She's so mythologised, and there are a lot of images of her.
Quote examples
A. S. Byatt
English Novelist
I don't think it is an easy thing to write and expect to be commercial, even if you are from Venus and a hermaphrodite.
Quote examples
Daniel Barenboim
Argentinian Musician
Wagner is contrapuntal in a philosophical way as well as a musical way. What I mean by that is that every tendency has its opposite, and you see that in the man himself. He's a metaphysical hermaphrodite - he embraces hard and soft, masculine and feminine.
Quote examples
David Mamet
American Dramatist
I understand that computers, which I once believed to be but a hermaphrodite typewriter-cum-filing cabinet, offer the cyber literate increased ability to communicate. I do not think this is altogether a bad thing, however it may appear on the surface.
Quote examples
Cate Blanchett
Australian Actress
I think that the benefit of playing someone like Queen Elizabeth is that so much has been written about her, and there's so much speculation about her - was she a hermaphrodite? She's so mythologised, and there are a lot of images of her.
Quote examples
A. S. Byatt
English Novelist
I don't think it is an easy thing to write and expect to be commercial, even if you are from Venus and a hermaphrodite.
Example 1 of 4
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