ˈfi:meɪl adj. & n. --adj. 1 of
the sex that can bear
offspring or
produce eggs. 2 (of plants or
their parts) fruit-bearing; having a
pistil and no stamens. 3 of or consisting of
women or female animals or female plants. 4 (of a
screw,
socket, etc.) manufactured
hollow to
receive a corresponding inserted
part. --n. a female
person,
animal, or
plant. øfemale impersonator a
male performer impersonating a
woman. øøfemaleness n. [ME f. OF femelle (n.) f. L femella dimin. of femina a woman, assim. to male]