bisexual

[bahy-sek-shoo-uh l] /baɪˈsɛk ʃu əl/
adjective
1.
Biology.
  1. of both sexes.
  2. combining male and female organs in one individual; hermaphroditic.
2.
sexually responsive to both sexes; ambisexual.
noun
3.
Biology. an animal or plant that has the reproductive organs of both sexes.
4.
a person sexually responsive to both sexes; ambisexual.
Origin
1815-25; bi-1 + sexual
Related forms
bisexuality, bisexualism, noun
bisexually, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for bisexuality

bisexual

/baɪˈsɛksjʊəl/
adjective
1.
sexually attracted by both men and women
2.
showing characteristics of both sexes: a bisexual personality
3.
(of some plants and animals) having both male and female reproductive organs
4.
of or relating to both sexes
noun
5.
a bisexual organism; a hermaphrodite
6.
a bisexual person
Derived Forms
bisexuality (baɪˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ), especially (US) bisexualism, noun
bisexually, adverb
Word Origin and History for bisexuality
n.

"attraction to both sexes" 1892, in translation of Krafft-Ebing; see bisexual + -ity.

bisexual

adj.

1824, "having both sexes in one being, hermaphroditic," from bi- + sexual. Meaning "attracted to both sexes" is from 1914; the noun in this sense is attested from 1922. Not in general use until 1950s. Noun is recorded from 1922. Ambisexual was suggested 1924 in this sense but never caught on.

bisexuality in Medicine

bisexual bi·sex·u·al (bī-sěk'shōō-əl)
adj.

  1. Relating to both sexes.

  2. Having both male and female reproductive organs; hermaphroditic.

  3. Relating to or having a sexual orientation to persons of either sex.

n.

  1. A bisexual organism; a hermaphrodite.

  2. A bisexual person.

bi'sex·u·al'i·ty (-āl'ĭ-tē) n.
bisexuality in Culture

bisexuality definition


Sexual activity with, or sexual attraction to, members of both sexes.

Encyclopedia Article for bisexuality

in biology, the condition of an organism capable of producing both male and female gametes (sex cells). In plants and microorganisms, this is often referred to as monoecism. In multicellular animals, bisexuality is usually called hermaphroditism (q.v.).

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