intersexual

Thân thiện

A person with intersexual traits stands confidently in a doctor's office.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having sexual characteristics intermediate between those of male and female: Describes an individual or organism whose biological sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, gonads, hormones, or anatomy) do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. This is a biological and medical term.
   • Existing or occurring between the sexes: Describes interactions, relationships, or phenomena that take place between males and females.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Intermediate Characteristics):

  • Some animals are born intersexual, displaying a mix of male and female traits.
  • The doctor explained that the child's intersexual condition was a natural variation in human development.

• Adjective (Between the Sexes):

  • The study focused on intersexual competition within the species.
  • Their research analyzed intersexual communication patterns in the workplace.

Advanced Usage

• In academic contexts: The term is used in biology, medicine, and gender studies. In human contexts, many now prefer the term intersex as a more respectful and accurate noun or adjective for people with these traits, while intersexual remains common in scientific writing about non-human organisms and theoretical concepts.
  • The biologist published a paper on intersexual selection in birds.

Variants and Related Words

• Intersex (adj/noun): Often used interchangeably with "intersexual" for humans, though "intersex" is increasingly preferred as a standalone term for people. It emphasizes identity and experience rather than just biological characteristics.
  • The organization advocates for the rights of intersex people.
• Intersexuality (noun): The state or condition of being intersexual.
  • The book provides a history of intersexuality.

Synonyms

• Androgynous: Having both male and female characteristics, though often more related to appearance or gender expression than specific biology.
• Hermaphroditic: (In biology) Having both male and female reproductive organs. Note: This term is generally considered outdated and potentially offensive when applied to humans.

Related Phrases

• Intersex trait: A specific physical characteristic that is part of an intersex variation.
  • An intersex trait may involve atypical chromosomes.
• Differences of Sex Development (DSD): A medical term sometimes used for conditions where sexual development is atypical.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having sexual characteristics intermediate between those of male and female
2. existing or occurring between the sexes