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Glite Dictionary
primary sex character

primary sex character

8.8
Body parts used for having babies, like genitals, that show if someone is male or female
  • noun
  • /ˈpraɪˌmɛri sɛks ˈkɛrɪktər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : caracter sexual primario
  • Doctors examine the primary sex characters to determine the biological sex of a newborn.

Examples

  • The development of primary sex characters occurs before birth and determines the anatomical differences between males and females.

  • Abnormalities in primary sex characters can sometimes require medical intervention shortly after birth.

  • The primary sex character of males includes the presence of a penis.

  • Females have a different primary sex character than males.

  • Doctors examine the primary sex characters to determine the biological sex of a newborn.

  • Abnormalities in primary sex characters can sometimes require medical intervention shortly after birth.

  • The development of primary sex characters occurs before birth and determines the anatomical differences between males and females.

Synonyms

sex characteristic
vsprimary sex character
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A trait of body and mind linked to being male or female

refers specifically to genetically based reproductive organs not general sex traits
sexual characteristic
vsprimary sex character
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A physical trait or a common behavior linked mainly to one sex

narrows this to genetically determined reproductive organs and genitals
primary sex characteristic
vsprimary sex character
  • Specialized
5.2

A body part you are born with that helps make babies, like genitals or ovaries

emphasizes genetic origin rather than presence at birth
primary sexual characteristic
vsprimary sex character
  • Specialized
7.6

A body part you are born with that is used to make babies, like genitals

focuses on genetic determination and distinguishing biological sexes

Surface Forms

primary sex character singular
primary sex characters plural

Morphology

primary + sex + character

The meaning is directly derivable from 'primary' (main), 'sex' (biological classification) and 'character' (attribute), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to the main biological attributes related to reproductive organs. Although somewhat technical (and often pluralized as 'primary sex characteristics'), the composition is predictable and cross-linguistically recurrent, making the expression understandable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Primary sex character comes from the three words primary meaning 'first or main', sex meaning 'biological male or female', and character meaning 'a physical feature'. It names the first body parts, the 'reproductive organs' or 'genitals', that show a person's biological sex, so it means the main physical traits directly related to reproduction.