masculinise
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To cause to develop or assume masculine physical characteristics, traits, or appearance. This process is often, but not exclusively, associated with the influence of androgens (male sex hormones) and can occur due to medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, or as a result of hormone therapy.
Usage
The verb "masculinise" is used to describe the action of causing a change toward a more masculine state. It is typically used in medical, biological, and sociological contexts. * It is a transitive verb and requires a direct object (e.g., The treatment masculinised her voice). * The subject causing the change can be a hormone, a drug, a medical condition, or a social process.
Examples
- The hormonal imbalance began to masculinise her features.
- Some argue that certain extreme sports cultures can masculinise behaviour and attitudes.
- The doctor explained how the prescribed testosterone would masculinise the patient's body.
Advanced Usage
- In a medical/endocrinology context: Refers specifically to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., deepening of the voice, facial hair growth, increased muscle mass) in an individual who was not assigned male at birth, due to hormone exposure.
- In a social/cultural context: Can be used more broadly and critically to describe processes that impose stereotypically masculine norms, behaviours, or roles on a person, group, or field of activity.
Variants and Related Words
- Masculinize: The preferred spelling in American English.
- Masculinisation (BrE) / Masculinization (AmE) (noun): The process or result of being masculinised.
- The masculinisation of her physique was a side effect of the medication.
- Virilise / Virilize (verb): A near-synonym with a stronger emphasis on the development of male sexual characteristics and often used in specific medical contexts.
- Androgenise / Androgenize (verb): To treat with or cause to develop male characteristics under the influence of androgens.
Synonyms
- Virilise
- Androgenise
Antonyms
- Feminise / Feminize
- Demasculinise / Demasculinize
Verb
- produce virilism in or cause to assume masculine characteristics, as through a hormonal imbalance or hormone therapy
- the drugs masculinized the teenage girl