Share this Article on Facebook Twitter Submit this article to Reddit Give this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon

hermaphrodite

hermaphrodite

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

her·maph·ro·dite / hərˈmafrədīt/ • n. a person or animal having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics, either abnormally or (in the case of some organisms) as the natural condition. ∎  Bot. a plant having stamens and pistils in the same flower. ∎ archaic a person or thing combining opposite qualities or characteristics. • adj. of or denoting a person, animal, or plant of this kind: hermaphrodite creatures in classical sculpture. DERIVATIVES: her·maph·ro·dit·ic / -ˌmafrəˈditik/ adj. her·maph·ro·dit·i·cal / -ˌmafrəˈditikəl/ adj. her·maph·ro·dit·ism / hərˈmafrədiˌtizəm/ (or her·maph·ro·dism / -ˌdizəm/ ) n.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"hermaphrodite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"hermaphrodite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hermaphrodite.html

"hermaphrodite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

Hermaphroditus

Myths and Legends of the World | 2001 | Copyright

Hermaphroditus

In Greek mythology, Hermaphroditus was the son of Hermes, messenger of the gods, and Aphrodite, goddess of love. The boy was so beautiful that a nymph named Salmacis fell in love with him and prayed that they would be united forever. The gods granted her the wish one day when Hermaphroditus came to the fountain where she lived. As he was bathing, Salmacis embraced him and pulled him underneath the water, and their bodies merged into one. The result was a person with the figure and breasts of a woman but with the sex organs of a man.

nymph minor goddess of nature, usually represented as young and beautiful

Other versions of the story claim that any man who bathed in the fountain was transformed into a half man, half woman just like Hermaphroditus. It was also said that the waters of the fountain caused anyone who drank from it to grow weak. The original story appears in the Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid*. The English writer Edmund Spenser includes the notion of such a pool, which weakened those who drank from it, in the Faerie Queene.

See also Greek Mythology; Nymphs.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Hermaphroditus." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Hermaphroditus." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900239.html

"Hermaphroditus." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900239.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

hermaphrodite , animal or plant that normally possesses both male and female reproductive systems, producing both eggs and sperm. Many plants, including most flowering plants (angiosperms), are hermaphroditic, or monoecious; in these, male and female reproductive structures are present in the same plant, often in the same flower, and many hermaphrodite flowers are self-pollinated. Many lower animals, especially immobile species, are hermaphroditic; in some, such as earthworms, two animals copulate and fertilize each other. Some parasitic species, e.g., the tapeworm, are self-fertile as well as hermaphroditic, insuring reproduction where the parasite may be the only member of its species in the host. Many hermaphrodites are protandrous or protogynous, i.e., gametes of the two sexes are produced in the same organism, sometimes in the same gonad, but at different times; in such organisms (e.g., the oyster and the sage plant) self-fertilization is impossible.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"hermaphrodite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"hermaphrodite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hermaphr.html

"hermaphrodite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hermaphr.html

Learn more about citation styles

Hermaphroditus

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Hermaphroditus , in Greek mythology, beautiful son of Hermes and Aphrodite. He scorned the nymph Salmacis, who prayed that they might never be separated. When Hermaphroditus swam in her stream, she combined with him, uniting male and female characteristics in one body—hence the origin of the word hermaphrodite.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Hermaphroditus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Hermaphroditus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Hermaphr.html

"Hermaphroditus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Hermaphr.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

hermaphrodite Organism that has both male and female sexual organs. Most hermaphrodite animals are invertebrates, such as the earthworm and snail. They reproduce by the mating of two individuals, each of which receives sperm from the other. Some hermaphrodites are self-fertilizing.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"hermaphrodite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"hermaphrodite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-hermaphrodite.html

"hermaphrodite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

hermaphrodite XV. — L. hermaphrodītus — Gr. hermaphródītos, orig. proper name of a son of Hermes and Aphrodite, who grew together with the nymph Salmacis while bathing in her fountain and so combined male and female characters.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

T. F. HOAD. "hermaphrodite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "hermaphrodite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hermaphrodite.html

T. F. HOAD. "hermaphrodite." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

Hermaphrodite

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Hermaphrodite in Greek mythology, a son of Hermes and Aphrodite, with whom the nymph Salmacis fell in love and prayed to be forever united. As a result Hermaphroditus and Salmacis became joined in a single body which retained characteristics of both sexes.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Hermaphrodite." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Hermaphrodite." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Hermaphrodite.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Hermaphrodite." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

hermaphrodite (bisexual)
1. An animal, such as the earthworm, that has both male and female reproductive organs.

2. A plant whose flowers contain both stamens and carpels. This is the usual arrangement in most plants. Compare monoecious; dioecious.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-hermaphrodite.html

"hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | Copyright

hermaphrodite (her-maf-rŏ-dyt) n. an individual in which both male and female sex organs are present or in which the sex organs contain both ovarian and testicular cells.
—hermaphroditism n.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-hermaphrodite.html

"hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

hermaphrodite An individual that possesses both male and female sex organs; i.e. it is bisexual. Compare GONOCHORIST. See also SEQUENTIAL HERMAPHRODITE.
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-hermaphrodite.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

hermaphrodite An individual that possesses both male and female sex organs (i.e. it is bisexual).
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-hermaphrodite.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "hermaphrodite." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

hermaphrodite

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

hermaphrodite •affright, alight, alright, aright, bedight, bight, bite, blight, bright, byte, cite, dight, Dwight, excite, fight, flight, fright, goodnight, height, ignite, impolite, indict, indite, invite, kite, knight, light, lite, might, mite, night, nite, outfight, outright, plight, polite, quite, right, rite, shite, sight, site, skintight, skite, sleight, slight, smite, Snow-white, spite, sprite, tight, tonight, trite, twite, underwrite, unite, uptight, white, wight, wright, write •Shiite • Trotskyite • McCarthyite •Vishnuite • Sivaite • albite •snakebite • frostbite • soundbite •kilobyte • columbite • love bite •Moabite • megabyte • gigabyte •Jacobite • Rechabite • jadeite •lyddite • expedite • cordite • erudite •Luddite • recondite • troglodyte •hermaphrodite • extradite

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"hermaphrodite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"hermaphrodite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hermaphrodite.html

"hermaphrodite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hermaphrodite.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

How to look at a hermaphrodite in early modern England.(Critical essay)
Magazine article from: Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900; 1/1/2006
Dwarf males of Octolasmis warwickii (Cirripedia: Thoracica): the first...
Magazine article from: The Biological Bulletin; 6/1/2010
Battle of the hermaphrodites: sexes clash even when sharing the same body.
Magazine article from: Science News; 9/16/2006
hermaphrodite images
Land snails are hermaphrodites, producing both spermatozoa and ova. (Image by Nilfanion, CC)

Related topics