Lesbian

See also lesbian

English

Etymology

From Latin Lesbius (“Lesbian”) + adjective suffix -an, from Latin adjective suffix -anus, -ana. The sense of ‘homosexual’ is a reference to Sappho, a famous inhabitant of Lesbos and homosexual poet.

Noun

Lesbian (plural Lesbians)

1. A native or inhabitant of Lesbos.
2. Alternative capitalization of lesbian: a homosexual woman.

Usage notes

• Some residents of Lesbos (Lesvos) prefer to be called Lesviots.

Synonyms

(inhabitant of Lesbos (Lesvos)): Lesviot

Translations

native or inhabitant of the island of Lesbos

• French: Lesbien (fr) m, Lesbienne (fr) f
• German: Lesbier (de), Lesbierin (de) f

• Greek: Λεσβιακός

lesbian — see lesbian

Adjective

Lesbian (comparative more Lesbian, superlative most Lesbian)

1. Of or pertaining to the island of Lesbos.
2. Alternative capitalization of lesbian: (of women) homosexual.
   • 1901, [1985] Mary MacLane in A Day at a Time, Margo Culley ed. [1]

     Except two breeds—the stupid and the narrowly feline—all women have a touch of the Lesbian: an assertion all good non-analytic creatures refute with horror, but quite true: there is always the poignant intensive personal taste, the flair of inner-sex, in the tenderest friendships of women.

   • 1984, Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider [2]

     One woman wrote, “Because you are Black and Lesbian, you seem to speak with the moral authority of suffering.” Yes, I am Black and Lesbian, and what you hear in my voice is fury, not suffering.

   • 1989, Florence King, Reflections in a Jaundiced Eye [3]

     Suddenly open enrollment struck the Sapphic elite and dykes-for-the-masses were everywhere. We got the Lesbian detective, the Lesbian ghost, the Lesbian vampire, the possessed Lesbian, the Lesbian next door, the Lesbian with a heart of gold, the kept Lesbian, the other Lesbian, the Lesbian amnesiac, the Lesbian with cancer, and just plain Butch.

Usage notes

The sense "homosexual" is now usually not capitalized; see lesbian. Compare gay, which is sometimes capitalized Gay though there is no reason for it to be according to the English language's usual rules for capitalization.

Translations

of the island of Lesbos

• French: lesbien (fr) m

• German: lesbisch (de)

lesbian — see lesbian

Anagrams

• ansible
• bilanes