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Male

see Mal-.

Evil; wicked; bad.

Origin: L. Malus. See malice.

same as mail, a bag.

1. Of or pertaining to the sex that begets or procreates young, or (in a wider sense) to the sex that produces spermatozoa, by which the ova are fertilized; not female; as, male organs.

2. (Science: botany) Capable of producing fertilization, but not of bearing fruit; said of stamens and antheridia, and of the plants, or parts of plants, which bear them.

3. Suitable to the male sex; characteristic or suggestive of a male; masculine; as, male courage.

4. Consisting of males; as, a male choir.

5. (Science: mechanics) Adapted for entering another corresponding piece (the female piece) which is hollow and which it fits; as, a male gauge, for gauging the size or shape of a hole; a male screw, etc.

(Science: botany) male berry, a screw having threads upon its exterior which enter the grooves upon the inside of a corresponding nut or female screw. Male thread, the thread of a male screw.

Origin: f. Male, OF. Masle, mascle, fr. L. Masculus male, masculine, dim. Of mas a male; possibly akin to E. Man. Cf. Masculine, marry.

1. An animal of the male sex.

2. (Science: botany) a plant bearing only staminate flowers.