virilism

9.9

Growth of male features like more body hair and a deep voice in a woman or early in a boy

noun
/ˈvɪrɪˌlɪzəm/

Specialized

: virilismo

The patient exhibited signs of virilism, including a deepened voice and increased body hair.

Examples

Prolonged exposure to certain medications can sometimes lead to virilism in women.
Symptoms of virilism can include a deepening voice and increased muscle mass.
Doctors are investigating the underlying causes of virilism in adolescents.
The doctor diagnosed her with virilism after noticing unusual hair growth.
The patient exhibited signs of virilism, including a deepened voice and increased body hair.
Symptoms of virilism can include a deepening voice and increased muscle mass.
Prolonged exposure to certain medications can sometimes lead to virilism in women.

Synonyms

masculinization

vsvirilism

Specialized

1 9.9

A female developing male physical features because of male hormones or health problems

is neutral and does not label the change as abnormal

virilization

vsvirilism

Specialized

9.9

Growth of male body features in a woman because of extra male hormones

also covers early male characteristic development in young boys

Antonyms

feminization

Specialized

1 7.6

Body changes in a man that lead to female physical features

How Masculinized

virilism

Specialized

9.9

masculinization

Specialized

1 9.9

Surface Forms

virilism singular

virilisms plural

Morphology

virilism = virile (semi-transparent) = viril + ism

Formed from the adjective 'virile' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ism'; the morphological relation is clear but the medical/specialized meaning is not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Virilism comes from the Latin root vir 'man' and is related to the English words virile and virility. So, virilism means the development or appearance of 'man-like' traits, such as a deep voice or extra body hair, in someone who is not male or who develops them early.