/ ˈfiːmeɪl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
being a woman or a girl :
a female student / employee / artist
Two of the candidates must be female.
2.
of the sex that can lay eggs or give birth to babies :
a female cat
3.
of women; typical of women; affecting women :
female characteristics
the female role
—compare feminine
4.
( biology ) ( of plants and flowers ) that can produce fruit
5.
( technical ) ( of electrical equipment ) having a hole that another part fits into :
a female plug
OPP male
■ noun
1.
an animal that can lay eggs or give birth to babies; a plant that can produce fruit
2.
a woman or a girl :
More females than males are employed in the factory.
OPP male
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French femelle , from Latin femella , diminutive of femina a woman. The change in the ending was due to association with male , but the words male and female are not linked etymologically.