hermaphrodite
C2Specialised, formal, biological/medical; often avoided in modern human contexts due to being considered outdated and pejorative.
Definition
Meaning
An organism, especially an animal or plant, having both male and female reproductive organs.
A person or thing combining two opposite qualities or characteristics; also a dated and often offensive term for an intersex person.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In biology, the term is neutral and descriptive for certain plants and invertebrates. In human contexts, it is largely superseded by the term 'intersex', which is considered more accurate and respectful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant variation in meaning or usage between regions. Both scientific communities use the term similarly.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries strong negative, pathological, or sensationalist connotations when applied to people. It is considered archaic and offensive in medical and social discourse.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language. Used primarily in specialized biological texts. 'Intersex' is the preferred term in both regions for human contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NAdj + NN + of + N (e.g., 'hermaphrodite of the species')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; conceptually linked to mythological figure Hermaphroditus.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in specific biological and zoological literature to describe organisms. Avoided in contemporary social sciences and medical ethics regarding humans.
Everyday
Extremely rare and likely to cause offence if used to describe a person. Mostly encountered in historical texts or discussions of biology.
Technical
Precise term in biology for organisms with functional male and female gonads. Term of art in specific scientific fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The species does not hermaphrodite; individuals are strictly male or female.
American English
- Some fish can hermaphrodite sequentially during their lifespan.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some snails are hermaphrodites, meaning one snail can be both mother and father.
- The biology textbook explained that many flowering plants are hermaphrodite, possessing both stamens and pistils.
- Historically, the term 'hermaphrodite' was used in medical literature, but it has been replaced by 'intersex' in contemporary ethical discourse due to its pathologising connotations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of HER (female) + MAPHRODITE (sounds like 'Aphrodite', goddess of love, often associated with beauty and femininity) combined with the male name prefix 'Hermes' – a blend of both.
Conceptual Metaphor
DUALITY/COMBINATION (two-in-one), WHOLENESS (containing both principles), ANOMALY/EXCEPTION (deviating from a binary norm).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation 'гермафродит' for people in modern contexts, as it is similarly outdated/offensive. Use 'интерсекс-человек' or 'интерсекс' for people. The biological term is acceptable.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'transgender' (it is not). Using it in contemporary human contexts without recognising its offensive nature. Misspelling (e.g., 'hermaphrodite').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'hermaphrodite' currently considered most appropriate and neutral?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Hermaphrodite' is an outdated and often offensive medical term when applied to people. 'Intersex' is the correct, respectful term for individuals born with variations in sex characteristics.
It comes from Greek mythology: Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, whose body merged with that of a nymph, becoming both male and female.
Yes, in botany, the term is standard and non-offensive. A 'perfect' or 'bisexual' flower that contains both male (stamen) and female (pistil) parts is described as hermaphrodite.
'Hermaphrodite' refers specifically to biological sex characteristics (reproductive anatomy). 'Androgynous' typically refers to gender expression, appearance, or identity that combines or blurs masculine and feminine traits.