Definitions for: Hermaphrodite


[n] one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made
[adj] (biology) of animal or plant; having both male female reproductive organs



Webster (1913) Definition: Her*maph"ro*dite, n. [L. hermaphroditus, Gr. ?,
so called from the mythical story that Hermaphroditus, son of
Hermes and Aphrodite, when bathing, became joined in one body
with Salmacis, the nymph of a fountain in Caria: cf. F.
hermaphrodite.] (Biol.)
An individual which has the attributes of both male and
female, or which unites in itself the two sexes; an animal or
plant having the parts of generation of both sexes, as when a
flower contains both the stamens and pistil within the same
calyx, or on the same receptacle. In some cases reproduction
may take place without the union of the distinct individuals.
In the animal kingdom true hermaphrodites are found only
among the invertebrates. See Illust. in Appendix, under
Helminths.


Her*maph"ro*dite, a.
Including, or being of, both sexes; as, an hermaphrodite
animal or flower.

Hermaphrodite brig. (Naut.) See under Brig. --Totten.

Synonyms: androgyne, androgynous, epicine, epicine person, gynandromorph, hermaphroditic, intersex

See Also: bisexual, bisexual person

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