berdachism

English

Etymology

berdache +‎ -ism

Noun

berdachism (uncountable)

1. (anthropology, now offensive) The state or practice of being (or of there being individuals who are) transgender or third-gender in a Native American society.
   • 2000, John W. M. Hallock, The American Byron, page 19:

     English settlers, in turn, solidly repressed berdachism in North America, although a score of nineteenth-century texts reveal a lack of sexual assimilation.

Usage notes

• See usage notes at berdache.

See also

• two-spirit