Sex definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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Definitions (25)

American Heritage Dictionary (10)

noun The property or quality by which organisms are classified as female or male on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions.
noun Either of the two divisions, designated female and male, of this classification.
noun Females or males considered as a group.

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Century Dictionary (8)

The character of being either male or female; the anatomical and physiological distinction between male and female, evidenced by the physical character of their generative organs, and the part taken by each in the function of reproduction; gender, with reference to living organisms. Sex is properly predicable only of male or female, those organisms which are neither male nor female being sexless or neuter. But the two sexes are often combined in the same individual, then said to be hermaphrodite or monœcious. Sex runs nearly throughout the animal kingdom, even down to the protozoans, with, however, many exceptions here and there among hermaphrodites. The distinction of sex is probably the most profound and most nearly universal single attribute of organized beings, and among the higher animals at least it is accompanied or marked by some psychological as well as physical characteristics. The essential attribute of the male sex is the generation of spermatozoa, that, of the female the generation of ova, accomplished in the one case by a testis or a homologous organ, and in the other by an ovary or a homologous organ. The act of procreation or begetting in the male is the uniting of spermatozoa to an ovum; the corresponding function in the female is the fecundation of an ovum by spermatozoa, resulting in conception or impregnation. The organs by which this result is accomplished are extremely varied in physical character; and various organs which characterize either sex, besides those directly concerned in the reproductive act, are known as secondary sexual characters. See gender, generation, reproduction, and quotation from Buck under sexuality, 1. Under his forming hands a creature grew, Man-like, but different sex. Milton, P. L., viii. 471.
Either one of the two kinds of beings, male and female, which are distinguished by sex; males or females, collectively considered and contrasted. Think you I am no stronger than my sex, Being so father'd and so husbanded? Shak., J. C., ii. 1.296. Which two great sexes animate the world. Milton, P. L., viii. 151.
Especially, the female sex; womankind, by way of emphasis: generally with the definite article. Twice are the Men instructed by thy Muse, Nor must she now to teach the Sex refuse. Congreve, tr. of Ovid's Art of Love. Not that he had no cares to vex; He loved the Muses and the sex. Byron, Mazeppa, iv.

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Examples (50)

Whalen homes, they found what they described as a sex machine, and 119 other items such as computers, a camcorder, digital camera, more than 70 videotapes, CDs, eight dog booties, seven leashes, six dog collars and a can of dog cologne. — NewsOK.com RSS - home
Before the stories sag or repeat themselves (which does occasionally happen; even the sex is a bit boring at times), we move on to the next couple.
For example, in North America sex is a very big taboo, but violence less so. — COMIXTALK
We caught up with Emily Deschanel at the Genesis Awards, where she spilled that the sex is all about Brennan's burnin 'baby fever. — E! Online (US) - Top Stories
You'll lay down and the sex will be my terms and you'll do whatever I say. — Recently Uploaded Slideshows

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Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

American Heritage Dictionary (1)

Middle English, from Latin sexus.

Century Dictionary (2)

from Middle English sexe, cexe, from Old French (and F.)sexe = Provencal sexe = Spanish Portuguese sexo = Italian sesso, from Latin sexus, also secus, sex; perhaps orig. ‘division,’ i. e. ‘distinction,’ from secare, divide, cut: see secant. A less specific designation for ‘sex’ was L. genus = Greek γένος, sex, gender: see gender, genus.
from sex, n.

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