Sexual Characteristic (Noun)
Meaning
Those characteristics (both anatomical and psychological) that are strongly associated with one sex relative to the other.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- Breasts are a primary female sexual characteristic in humans.
- Typically, men have deeper voices than women, a distinct sexual characteristic due to varying levels of hormones during puberty.
- Primary and secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and a wide jawline, often develop in boys during puberty.
- Comparative anatomy may identify certain physical traits as distinct sexual characteristics between males and females within a species.
- In some animals, vivid coloration of feathers or external features serve as a prominent sexual characteristic, signaling reproductive potential and health to potential mates.