sex characteristic

/sɛks ˌˈkɛr(ə)ktəˌrɪstɪk/
IPA guide

Other forms: sex characteristics

Definitions of sex characteristic
  1. noun
    those characteristics (both anatomical and psychological) that are strongly associated with one sex relative to the other
    synonyms: sex character, sexual characteristic
    see moresee less
    types:
    primary sex character, primary sex characteristic, primary sexual characteristic
    the genetically determined sex characteristics bound up with reproduction (genitals and organs of reproduction)
    secondary sex character, secondary sex characteristic, secondary sexual characteristic
    the genetically determined sex characteristics that are not functionally necessary for reproduction (pitch of the voice and body hair and musculature)
    virilism
    the development of male secondary sexual characteristics in a female (or prematurely in a young boy)
    type of:
    characteristic, feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
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