male

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Belonging to the sex that does not give birth or lay eggs; relating to men or boys.

   The male lion has a thick mane around its head.

2. 2
   adj

   Typical of or suitable for men or boys.

   He sang the song in a deep male voice.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Male entered English in the late Middle English period and is based on Latin masculus, from mas ‘a male person’. Its resemblance to female is secondary: the spelling of female was altered in the Middle Ages to match male, although the two words have different origins.

* As a Welsh surname, from the personal name Mael, from Middle Welsh mael (“prince”). * As an English surname of Norman origin, contaminated from many Old French sources, such as mail (“hammer”), maille (“chainmail”), maille (“denier”), or esmal (“enamel”). Compare Mailer. * Also as an English surname, from Middle English male (“bag, pouch”). * Also as an English surname of Norman origin, from the source of male (“male, male adult”). * Also as an English surname, from Middle English mele (“meal, flour”) (compare Millman) or from Old Norse melr (“sandhill”). Compare Meil. * As a Slovene surname…

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary