gynandromorph

noun

gyn·​an·​dro·​morph ˌgīn-ˈan-drə-ˌmȯrf How to pronounce gynandromorph (audio) ˌjin- How to pronounce gynandromorph (audio)
: an abnormal individual exhibiting characters of both sexes in various parts of the body : a sexual mosaic
gynandromorphic adjective

Examples of gynandromorph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not only did the standout bee have a genetic mutation that affects pigmentation in the eyes and likely renders the bee blind—itself a rather rare condition—but the bee also was what’s known as a gynandromorph, an organism that possesses both female and male traits. Jason Bittel, National Geographic, 5 Aug. 2020 The last time Powdermill saw a gynandromorph was in 2005, when the team found a grosbeak that looked very similar to this one. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 9 Oct. 2020 The team didn’t analyze the bee’s genes to confirm its gynandromorph status. Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2020 One other Megalopta gynandromorph has shown its face to scientists before: a male-female hybrid in a closely related sweat bee species called Megalopta genalis, identified in 1999. Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2020 The gynandromorph, as it is known, has a mixture of male and female genes and expresses traits from both sexes. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 27 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from gynandromorphous "exhibiting characters of both sexes," borrowed from French gynandromorphe or New Latin gynandromorphus, from Greek gýnandros "of doubtful sex" + French -morphe or New Latin -morphus -morphous — more at gynandrous

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gynandromorph was circa 1890

Dictionary Entries Near gynandromorph

Cite this Entry

“Gynandromorph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gynandromorph. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

gynandromorph

noun
gyn·​an·​dro·​morph (ˈ)gīn-ˈan-drə-ˌmȯrf How to pronounce gynandromorph (audio) (ˈ)jin- How to pronounce gynandromorph (audio)
: an abnormal individual exhibiting characters of both sexes in various parts of the body : a sexual mosaic
gynandromorphic adjective
gynandromorphism noun
gynandromorphy noun
plural gynandromorphies
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