virile

[vir-uh l or, esp. British, -ahyl] /ˈvɪr əl or, esp. British, -aɪl/
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly:
virile strength.
2.
having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree.
3.
characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit:
a virile literary style.
4.
of, pertaining to, or capable of procreation.
Origin
1480-90; < Latin virīlis manly, equivalent to vir man (akin to Old English wer man; see werewolf) + -īlis -ile
Related forms
nonvirile, adjective
subvirile, adjective
ultravirile, adjective
unvirile, adjective
Can be confused
viral, virile.
Synonyms
2. vigorous. See male.
Examples from the web for virile
  • The experience introduced to the public those virile qualities of his with which his friends were familiar.
  • Church's desire to paint more fascinating scenes reflected his virile character.
British Dictionary definitions for virile

virile

/ˈvɪraɪl/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male
2.
(of a male) possessing high sexual drive and capacity for sexual intercourse
3.
of or capable of copulation or procreation
4.
strong, forceful, or vigorous
Derived Forms
virility (vɪˈrɪlɪtɪ) noun
Word Origin
C15: from Latin virīlis manly, from vir a man; related to Old English wer man and probably to Latin vis strength
Word Origin and History for virile
adj.

late 15c., from Old French viril, from Latin virilis "of a man, manly," from vir "a man, a hero," from PIE *uiHro "freeman" (cf. Sanskrit virah, Avestan vira-, Lithuanian vyras, Lithuanian vyras, Old Irish fer, Welsh gwr, Gothic wair, Old English wer "man"). Virile member for "penis" is recorded from 1540s.

virile in Medicine

virile vir·ile (vēr'əl, -īl')
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male, especially the ability to perform sexually as a male.

  2. Having or showing masculine spirit, strength, vigor, or power.

  3. Sexually potent.