hermaphroditism

noun

her·​maph·​ro·​dit·​ism (ˌ)hər-ˈma-frə-ˌdī-ˌti-zəm 

1

: a condition of most plants and some animals (such as earthworms) in which male and female reproductive organs are present in the same individual

2

: the presence of both testicular and ovarian tissue in the same individual compare intersexuality

Examples of hermaphroditism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

They’re all born male, but some turn into females (a process known as sequential hermaphroditism). —Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin hermaphrodītismus, from Latin hermaphrodītus hermaphrodite entry 1 + New Latin -ismus -ism

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

hermaphroditism

noun

her·​maph·​ro·​dit·​ism (ˌ)hər-ˈmaf-rə-ˌdīt-ˌiz-əm 

1

: the presence of both testicular and ovarian tissue in the same individual compare intersexuality, pseudohermaphroditism

2

: a condition of most plants and some animals (as an earthworm) in which male and female reproductive organs are present in the same individual

hermaphroditic

(ˌ)hər-ˌmaf-rə-ˈdit-ik 

adjective