/ meɪl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
( abbr. m ) belonging to the sex that does not give birth to babies; connected with this sex :
a male bird
All the attackers were male, aged between 25 and 30.
a male nurse / model / colleague
male attitudes to women
male bonding (= the act of forming close friendships between men)
the male menopause (= emotional and physical problems that affect some men at about the age of 50)
—see also alpha male
—compare masculine
2.
( biology ) ( of most plants ) producing pollen :
a male flower
3.
( technical ) ( of electrical plugs , parts of tools, etc. ) having a part that sticks out which is designed to fit into a hole, socket , etc.
—compare female
► male·ness noun [ U ]:
the chromosome that determines maleness
■ noun
a male person, animal or plant :
The body is that of a white male aged about 40.
The male of the species has a white tail.
a male-dominated profession
—compare female
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French masle , from Latin masculus , from mas a male.