[male] n [ME, fr. MF masle, male, adj. & n., fr. L masculus--more at masculine] (14c) 1 a: a male person: a man or a boy b: an individual that produces small usu. motile gametes (as spermatozoa or spermatozoids) which fertilize the eggs of a female
2: a staminate plant
[2]male adj (14c) 1 a (1): of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of a female (2): staminate; esp: having only staminate flowers and not producing fruit or seeds "a ~ holly" b (1): of, relating to, or characteristic of the male sex "a deep ~ voice" (2): made up of usu. adult male individuals "a ~ choir"
2: masculine 3a
3: designed for fitting into a corresponding female part "~ hose coupling" -- male.ness n