Male

prefix. See MAL.

a. [Fr. mâle, O. Fr. masle, mascle, from Lat. masculus, male, masculine, diminutive of mas, maris, a male; Pr. muscle, It. maschio, Sp. & Pg. macho. Compare mascula thura of Virgil.]

1Sense 1. Pertaining to the sex that begets or procreates young, as distinguished from the female, which conceives and gives birth; masculine; as, a male child; a male beast, fish, or fowl.

2Sense 2. (Bot.) Having fecundating organs, but not fruit-bearing; staminate; — said of a plant.

3Sense 3. Having qualities appropriate to a male, as vigor, strength, boldness; hence, pre-eminent; superior; best. [Rare.]

May virgins, when they come to mourn, Male incense burn. Herrick.

Male screw (Mech.), the screw whose threads enter the grooves of the corresponding or female screw. — Male system (Bot.), that part of a flower which belongs to and includes the stamens.

n. 1. An animal of the male sex; a he. 2. (Bot.) A plant which bears only staminate flowers.