hermaphrodite

1 of 2

noun

her·​maph·​ro·​dite (ˌ)hər-ˈma-frə-ˌdīt How to pronounce hermaphrodite (audio)
plural hermaphrodites
1
: an animal or plant having both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : an organism exhibiting hermaphroditism
2
: something that is a combination of diverse elements

hermaphrodite

2 of 2

adjective

: possessing both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : hermaphroditic
hermaphrodite plants
Like their relatives the earthworms, leeches are hermaphrodite animals. Each individual has both male and female sex organs but cannot fertilize itself.Mark Carwardine

Examples of hermaphrodite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The Oscar-winning actress who is supposedly a hermaphrodite. Allen Salkin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 July 2024 Then, there are hermaphrodites, which have both male and female reproductive organs. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Adjective
This is because papayas can produce either male flowers, female flowers or hermaphrodite flowers that have characteristics of both. Alex Groves, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 In her new book, Rowling introduces readers to Edie Ledwell, a creator of a popular YouTube cartoon who sees internet trolls and her own fandom turn on her after the cartoon was criticized as being racist and ableist, as well as transphobic for a bit about a hermaphrodite worm. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for hermaphrodite 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hermofrodite, borrowed from Latin hermaphrodītus, borrowed from Greek hermaphródītos, after Hermaphródītos hermaphroditus

Adjective

from attributive use of hermaphrodite entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hermaphrodite was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hermaphrodite

Cite this Entry

“Hermaphrodite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermaphrodite. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hermaphrodite

noun
her·​maph·​ro·​dite (ˌ)hər-ˈmaf-rə-ˌdīt How to pronounce hermaphrodite (audio)
: a hermaphroditic plant or animal

Medical Definition

hermaphrodite

noun
her·​maph·​ro·​dite (ˌ)hər-ˈmaf-rə-ˌdīt How to pronounce hermaphrodite (audio)
: an individual exhibiting hermaphroditism
hermaphrodite adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hermaphrodite

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