semen
/'si:men/
Definition
Noun 1. The male reproductive fluid: Semen is the thick, whitish biological fluid produced by males that contains sperm cells (spermatozoa) and other secretions from the reproductive glands. It is ejaculated from the male genital tract during sexual climax. 2. The substance containing male gametes: In biological terms, semen is the vehicle that transports sperm, providing them with nutrients and a medium for movement, essential for the fertilization of a female egg.
Usage and Examples
- The laboratory analyzed the semen sample as part of the fertility test.
- A single ejaculation typically contains millions of sperm cells within the semen.
- The presence of blood in semen can be a sign of a medical condition and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- Formal/Technical Context: The term is standard in medical, biological, legal, and scientific contexts (e.g., semen analysis, semen donation).
- Colloquial Synonyms: In very informal or vulgar speech, other slang terms are sometimes used, but "semen" is the correct and neutral term for general and academic use.
- "Semen" vs. "Sperm": It is important to distinguish between semen (the overall fluid) and sperm (the microscopic reproductive cells contained within the semen). They are not synonyms.
Variants and Related Words
- Seminal (adjective):
- Pertaining to semen or seed (e.g., seminal fluid).
- Figuratively, meaning highly influential and original (e.g., a seminal work of philosophy).
- Ejaculate (verb/noun): The action of ejecting semen from the body, or the semen ejected in a single instance.
- Sperm (noun): The male reproductive cell (gamete) contained within semen.
Synonyms
- Seed (archaic or literary)
- Seminal fluid (more clinical)
- Ejaculate (specifically refers to the emitted substance)
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- Seminal vesicle: (Anatomy) One of the paired glands that secrete a significant portion of the fluid that becomes semen.
- Semen analysis: (Medical) A diagnostic test to evaluate the health and viability of sperm within a semen sample.
Noun
-
the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
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