Word: sex Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sek-der. Proto-Indo-European *séks-u-sder. Proto-Italic *seksus Proto-Indo-European *sek-der. Proto-Italic *sekaō Latin secō Latin secāre? Latin sexusder. Old French sexeder. Middle English sexe English sex From Middle English sexe (“sex [distinction between male and female] and gender”), from Old French sexe (“genitals; gender”), from Latin sexus (“gender; gender traits; males or females; genitals”), from Proto-Italic *seksus, from Proto-Indo-European *séksus, from *sek- (“to cut, cut off, sever”), thus meaning "section, division" (into male and female). Usage for women influenced by Middle French le sexe (“women”) (attested in 1580). Usage for third and additional sexes calqued from French troisième sexe, referring to masculine women in 1817 and homosexuals in 1847. First used by Lord Byron and others in English in reference to Catholic clergy. Usage for sexual intercourse first attested in 1899 (in the writings of H. G. Wells). Pronunciation: /ˈsɛks/, /ˈseks/ 1. A category into which sexually-reproducing organisms are divided on the basis of their reproductive roles in their species; the system of such categories, which can differ by organism or by taxonomic branch. Labels: countable Example: The effect of the medication is dependent upon age, sex, and other factors. Example: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. 2. Another category, especially of humans and especially based on sexuality or gender roles. Labels: countable Example: Still there are some loop-holes out of which a man may creep, and dare to think and act for himself; but for a woman it is an herculean task, because she has difficulties peculiar to her sex to overcome, which require almost super-human powers. Example: "But now another sex, in arms, is brought, / And, realms to guard, are eunuchs able thought!" 3. The members of such a category, taken collectively. Labels: countable Example: It was a weakness / In me, but incident to all our sex. Example: The sensibility of the female sex appears […] to be greater than that of the male. 4. The distinction and relation between these categories, especially in humans; gender. Labels: uncountable Example: A lot of women now like men to pay for them on dates... We've dealt with the outdated view of sex underpinning this. 5. Women; the human female gender and those who belong to it. Labels: literary, obsolete, uncountable, with-definite-article Example: The sex of Venice are undoubtedly of a distinguished beauty. Example: I was not, however, better than my neighbors; the Sex had its charms for me as it had for others; But there always remained a sting, that time only wore away. 6. Sexual activity, usually sexual intercourse unless preceded by a modifier. Labels: uncountable Example: We marry in fear and trembling, sex for a home is the woman's traffic, and the man comes to his heart's desire when his heart's desire is dead. Example: If you want to have sex, you've got to trust At the core of your heart, the other creature. 7. Genitalia: a penis or vagina/vulva. Labels: countable, euphemistic, slang Example: Another ha's gon through with the bargain... One that will find the way to her Sex, before you'le come to kissing her hand. Example: And the black cypresses strained upwards like the sex of a hanged man. 8. Any kind of category, class, or community of people who possess shared characteristics. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable