■ noun
1》 either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.
↘the fact of belonging to one of these categories.
↘the group of all members of either ~.
2》 ~ual activity, specifically ~ual intercourse.
↘ euphemistic a person's genitals.
■ verb
1》 determine the ~ of.
2》 ( ~ something up ) informal present something in a more interesting or lively way.
3》 ( ~ someone up ) informal arouse or attempt to arouse someone ~ually.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~e or L. ~us .
Usage
On the difference between the words ~ (in sense 1 above) and gender , see usage at gender .