I. ˈmāl 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
• male·ness -nəs noun