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Webster 1913 Edition
Hermaphrodite
Her-maph′ro-dite
,Noun.
[L.
hermaphroditus
, Gr. [GREEK], so called from the mythical story that Hermaphroditus
, son of Hermes and Aphrodite, when bathing, became joined in one body with Salmacis, the nymph of a fountain in Caria: cf. F. hermaphrodite
.] (Biol.)
An individual which has the attributes of both male and female, or which unites in itself the two sexes; an animal or plant having the parts of generation of both sexes, as when a flower contains both the stamens and pistil within the same calyx, or on the same receptacle. In some cases reproduction may take place without the union of the distinct individuals. In the animal kingdom true hermaphrodites are found only among the invertebrates. See Illust. in Appendix, under Helminths.
Her-maph′ro-dite
,Adj.
Including, or being of, both sexes;
as, an
. hermaphrodite
animal or flowerWebster 1828 Edition
Hermaphrodite
HERMAPH'RODITE
,Noun.
1.
A human being, having the parts of generation both of male and female. The term is applied also to other animals characterized by a similar formation.2.
In botany, a flower that contains both the anther and the stigma, or the supposed male and female organs of generation, within the same calyx or on the same receptacle.3.
A plant that has only hermaphrodite flowers.HERMAPH'RODITE
,Adj.