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plural testes
ˈte-ˌstēz
: a typically paired male reproductive gland that produces sperm and secretes testosterone and that in most mammals is contained within the scrotum at sexual maturity
Examples of testis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Androgens are typically higher in people with testes than people with ovaries.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2024
The fly then becomes infected, with the larvae going through two developmental stages in the fly's testes.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 14 Aug. 2024
Phthalates are in consumer products such as shampoo, makeup, perfume and children’s toys and have been linked to reproductive problems, such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 July 2024
Non-organic cashews are sprayed with endosulfan, a pesticide that has been shown to affect the central nervous system, causing damage to the kidneys, liver, and testes.
—Grace McCalmon, refinery29.com, 2 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for testis
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin, witness, testis
First Known Use
1650, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near testis
Cite this Entry
“Testis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testis. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
testis
noun
tes·tis
ˈtes-təs
plural testes
ˈtes-ˌtēz
: a typically paired male reproductive gland that usually consists largely of seminiferous tubules from the epithelium of which spermatozoa develop, that contains androgen-secreting Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue, that corresponds to the ovary of the female and in craniate vertebrates develops from the genital ridges of the embryo, and that in most mammals descends into the scrotum before the attainment of sexual maturity and in many cases before birth
More from Merriam-Webster on testis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about testis
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