sex-limited

1 8.3

A trait shown mainly in one sex because of genes or hormones

adjective
/sɛksˈlɪmɪtɪd/

Specialized

: limitado por sexo

Certain traits, like coloration in peacocks, can be sex-limited, only appearing in males.

Examples

Some genetic disorders are sex-limited, affecting one sex more severely than the other.
In many species, the expression of certain characteristics is sex-limited, influenced by genetic factors.
The proband presented with normal sexual development and fertility, which was assumed to be caused by the sex-limited dominant inherited pattern.

Academic text (2018)

How Sex-Specific

sex-limited

Specialized

1 8.3

sex characteristic

Specialized

1 5.8

Surface Forms

sex-limited positive

Morphology

sex-limited = sex + limited (semi-transparent) = sex + limit + ed

The parts 'sex' and 'limited' are form- and meaning-transparent, but the precise technical genetic meaning ('expressed differently in the two sexes') is specialized and not fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Sex-limited is made of sex ('male or female') and limited ('restricted to' or 'only in'), so it literally means 'restricted to one sex'. A sex-limited trait is a characteristic that appears mostly or only in males or females, often because of genes or hormones.