adj. & n.
--adj.
1. of the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs.
2 (of plants or their parts) fruit-bearing; having a pistil and no stamens.
3 of or consisting of women or female animals or female plants.
4 (of a screw, socket, etc.) manufactured hollow to receive a corresponding inserted part.
--n. a female person, animal, or plant.
Phrases and idioms:
female impersonator a male performer impersonating a woman.
Derivatives:
femaleness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF femelle (n.) f. L femella dimin. of femina a woman, assim. to male