Sĕx'ū-al, a.

(sěk'shū-al), a. [Lat. sexualis, from sexus, sex; Fr. sexuel, Sp. sexual, It. sessuale.] Pertaining to sex or the sexes; distinguishing sex; peculiar to the distinction and office of male or female; relating to the distinct organs of the sexes; as, sexual characteristics; sexual intercourse, connection, or commerce; sexual diseases.

Sexual method (Bot.), the method of classification — called also Linnæan method and artificial method — which is founded on the distinction of sexes in plants, as male and female, each sex being furnished with appropriate organs or parts; the stamens, or male organs, producing a pollen or dust, which fecundates the stigma of the pistil, or female organ, and is necessary to render it prolific. Most plants are hermaphrodite, the male and female organs being contained in the same flower.