male

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French masle, male, adjective & noun, from Latin masculus — more at masculine Date: 14th century 1. a. a male person ; a man or a boy b. an individual that produces small usually motile gametes (as spermatozoa or spermatozoids) which fertilize the eggs of a female 2. a staminate plant II. adjective Date: 14th century 1. a. (1) of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of a female (2) staminate; especially having only staminate flowers and not producing fruit or seeds <

a male holly

> b. (1) of, relating to, or characteristic of the male sex <

a deep male voice

> (2) made up of usually adult male individuals <

a male choir

> 2. masculine 3a 3. designed with a projecting part for fitting into a corresponding female part <

male hose coupling

> • maleness noun