feminine

Definition

Of or pertaining to the female gender.

Etymology

From Middle English feminine, femynyne, femynyn, from Old French feminin, feminine, from Latin fēminīnus, from fēmina (“woman”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-m̥h₁n-eh₂ (“(the one) nursing, breastfeeding”). Related to fetus, feminism, filial, fellatio.

Example Sentences

• "Mary, Elizabeth, and Edith are feminine names."
• "Her heavenly form Angelic, but more soft and feminine."
• "Her letters are remarkably deficient in feminine ease and grace."