/ ˈmæskjəlɪn; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
having the qualities or appearance considered to be typical of men; connected with or like men :
He was handsome and strong, and very masculine.
That suit makes her look very masculine.
—compare feminine , male
2.
( grammar ) belonging to a class of words that refer to male people or animals and often have a special form :
'He' and 'him' are masculine pronouns.
3.
( grammar ) ( in some languages ) belonging to a class of nouns, pronouns or adjectives that have masculine gender , not feminine or neuter :
The French word for 'sun' is masculine.
■ noun
1.
the masculine [ sing. ] the masculine gender (= form of nouns, adjectives and pronouns)
2.
[ C ] a masculine word or word form
—compare feminine , neuter
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in grammatical use): via Old French from Latin masculinus , from masculus male.