sex

English

/sɛks/

noun
Definitions
  • (countable) A category into which sexually-reproducing organisms are divided on the basis of their reproductive roles in their species.
  • (countable) Another category, especially of humans and especially based on sexuality or gender roles.
  • (countable) The members of such a category, taken collectively.
  • (uncountable) The distinction and relation between these categories, especially in humans; gender.
  • (obsolete) Women; the human female sex and those who belong to it.
  • (uncountable) Sexual activity, usually sexual intercourse unless #Derived preceded by a modifier.
  • (countable) Genitalia: a penis or vagina.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English sexe (gender) derived from Old French sexe (gender, genitals) derived from Latin sexus (sex, gender, gender traits, males females, genitals) derived from Proto-Italic *seksus derived from Proto-Indo-European *séksus derived from Middle French sexe, le sexe (women) derived from French troisième sexe root from Proto-Indo-European *sek- (cut, dry out, coagulate).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*sek-

Gloss

cut, dry out, coagulate

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji
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Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms