clitoris
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Ancient Greek κλειτορίς (kleitoris), a diminutive of uncertain origin, probably from κλείω (kleiō), “‘I sheathe, shut’”), in reference to its being covered by the labia minora.
The related noun form κλείς (kleis) has a second meaning of "a key, a latch or hook (to close a door)." Wooden pegs were the original keys; a connection also revealed in Latin clavis (“‘nail’”) and claudere (“‘to shut’”) (see close). Some medical sources give a supposed Greek verb κλειτοριάζω (kleitoriazō), “‘touch or titillate lasciviously, tickle’”) literally "to be inclined (toward pleasure)" (compare German slang ‘der Kitzler’ "clitoris," literally "the tickler"), related to Greek κλειτύς (kleitus), a variant of κλιτύς (klitus), “‘hillside’”), related to κλίνω (klinō), “‘I slope’”), from the same root as κλῖμαξ (“‘ladder’”). But many sources take κλειτορίς literally as Greek "little hill." The Italian anatomist Mateo Renaldo Colombo (1516–1559), professor at Padua, claimed to have discovered it (De re anatomica, 1559, p. 243). He called it amor Veneris, vel dulcedo "the love or sweetness of Venus." Slang abbreviation clit first attested 1960s.
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈklɪtərɪs/
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
clitoris (plural clitorises or clitorides)
- (anatomy) A small sensitive elongated erectile organ at the anterior part of the vulva in female mammals, homologous with the penis.
[edit] Synonyms
- See WikiSaurus:clitoris.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
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[edit] French
[edit] Etymology
From Greek κλειτωρίς.
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /klitɔʀis/
[edit] Noun
clitoris m. (plural clitoris)
