sexual English · revision 2986

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1651|origins=la sexus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsek.ʃu.əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|sexuālis|t=relating to sex]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|sexus|t=a sex, the state of being male or female]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) the source of [[sex]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Distinctive of either sex, of or pertaining to being male or female: 1651.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline dates it to the 1650s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “pertaining to copulation or generation”, as done by means of the two sexes, is from 1766,^(Etymonline) and in the OED, of sex as concerned in generation, from 1799.^(OED 1989) From it came the sense “of erotic desire and its gratification”^(Etymonline) (1792 in the OED).^(OED 1989) The Linnaean ''sexual system'' of classifying plants is from 1760.^(OED 1989) ''Sexual intercourse'' is attested by 1771, ''sexual revolution'' by 1962, ''sexual orientation'' by 1967, ''sexual politics'' from 1970 and ''sexual harassment'' by 1975.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1651 – of male or female.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1760 – ''sexual system'' of plants.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1766 – pertaining to copulation.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1771 – ''sexual intercourse''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1962 – ''sexual revolution''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1967 – ''sexual orientation''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1975 – ''sexual harassment''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or relating to [[sex]], sexuality, the sexes or the sex organs.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Suggesting or involving erotic desire or activity.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(biology)'' Involving the union of male and female [[gamete|alt=gametes]]: ''sexual reproduction''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sexually]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sex]]

+ * [[sexy]]

+ * [[sexuality]]

+ * [[bisexual]]

+ * [[asexual]]

+ * [[heterosexual]]

+ * [[homosexual]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}