copulation

/,kɔpju'leiʃn/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of sexual intercourse: "Copulation" refers specifically to the physical act of sexual union, typically involving the insertion of the male's penis into the female's vagina, culminating in orgasm and ejaculation. It is a formal, biological, or technical term for sexual intercourse.

Usage

• Formal/Biological Context: The word "copulation" is primarily used in formal, scientific, medical, or zoological contexts to describe the act of sexual reproduction.
• Tone: It is a neutral, clinical term. It is not typically used in casual conversation, where words like "sex" or "making love" are more common.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The study observed the copulation behavior of the species in their natural habitat.
  • In mammals, copulation is necessary for internal fertilization.
  • The textbook described the process of human copulation in anatomical detail.

Advanced Usage

• "Copulatory behavior": Refers to the patterns and actions associated with the act of mating.
  • Researchers are studying the copulatory behavior of birds to understand their mating rituals.

Variants and Related Words

• Copulate (verb): To engage in sexual intercourse.
  • The animals copulate during the breeding season.
• Copulatory (adjective): Relating to or involved in copulation.
  • The copulatory organs are specialized for reproduction.

Synonyms

• Sexual intercourse: The most direct synonym, also formal.
• Coitus: A technical, often medical, term for sexual intercourse.
• Mating: Commonly used for animals, emphasizing the reproductive aspect.
• Cotton: A dated or literary term.

Antonyms

• Abstinence: The act of refraining from sexual activity.
• Celibacy: The state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations.

Notes on Meaning

• Biological Focus: "Copulation" strongly emphasizes the mechanical, reproductive act. It does not inherently carry emotional or romantic connotations.
• Scope: While the core definition involves a male and a female, the term can be applied broadly in biology to describe the sexual union of male and female individuals of any species.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of sexual procreation between a man and a woman; the man's penis is inserted into the woman's vagina and excited until orgasm and ejaculation occur