Definition

Proper noun 1. A figure from Greek mythology: Hermaphroditus is the son of the gods Hermes and Aphrodite. According to myth, he became united with the nymph Salmacis, forming a single being possessing both male and female physical characteristics.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The myth of Hermaphroditus explains the origin of the word "hermaphrodite."
  • In Ovid's Metamorphoses, the story of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis is told.
  • The statue depicts the mythological figure Hermaphroditus.

Advanced Usage

• As an etymological source: The name Hermaphroditus is the direct origin of the biological and later general term "hermaphrodite," describing an organism or person with both male and female sexual characteristics.
  • The term's origin in the myth of Hermaphroditus links language directly to ancient storytelling.

Variants and Related Words

• Hermaphrodite (noun/adjective): An organism having both male and female reproductive organs. Derived from the name Hermaphroditus.
• Hermaphroditic (adjective): Of or relating to a hermaphrodite; having both male and female characteristics.
• Hermaphroditism (noun): The condition of being a hermaphrodite.

Synonyms

• Androgyne (noun): A person with both masculine and feminine characteristics. (Note: While related, "androgyne" typically refers to gender expression or identity, not specifically to biological sex characteristics like the original context of Hermaphroditus.)

Notes on Meaning

• Mythological vs. Biological Meaning: It is crucial to distinguish between "Hermaphroditus" (the proper name of a specific mythological character) and "hermaphrodite" (the common noun derived from it). The primary definition here is for the mythological figure.
• Cultural Significance: The myth symbolizes the fusion of opposites and is a classical origin story for the concept of dual sexuality.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) son of Hermes and Aphrodite who merged with the nymph Salmacis to form one body