female

English

/ˈfiː.meɪl/

adj
Definitions
  • Belonging to the sex which typically produces eggs (ova), or to the gender which is typically associated with it.
  • Characteristic of this sex/gender. Compare m
  • Tending to lead to or regulate the development of sexual characteristics typical of this sex.
  • (grammar) Feminine; of the feminine grammatical gender.
  • (figuratively) Having an internal socket, as in a connector or pipe fitting.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English female derived from Old French femele derived from Latin femella (a girl, a young female, young woman), femella (a girl, a young female, young woman) root from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (suckle, suck, nurse, suck milk).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*dʰeh₁(y)-

Gloss

suckle, suck, nurse, suck milk

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

哺

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms