אנדרוגינוס

Hebrew

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀνδρόγυνος (andrógunos, “hermaphrodite”), from ἀνδρός (andrós) (genitive of ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”)) + γυνή (gunḗ, “woman”).

Pronunciation

• (Tiberian Hebrew) IPA^(key): /ʔanˈdro.ɣi.nos/
• (Modern Israeli Hebrew) IPA^(key): /(ʔ)anˈdʁo.ɡi.nos/

Noun

אַנְדְּרוֹגִינוֹס • (andróginos) m

1. (Jewish law, potentially offensive) Exhibiting both male and female characteristics, an androgyne or hermaphrodite
   • Mishneh Torah, Marriage 2:24

     מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֵיבַר זִכְרוּת וְאֵיבַר נְקֵבוּת הוּא הַנִּקְרָא אַנְדְּרוֹגִינוּס וְהוּא סָפֵק אִם זָכָר סָפֵק אִם נְקֵבָה. וְאֵין לוֹ סִימָן שֶׁיִּוָּדַע בּוֹ אִם הוּא זָכָר וַדַּאי אִם הִיא נְקֵבָה וַדָּאִית לְעוֹלָם

     One who has a male organ and a female organ is called an androgyne and there is uncertainty if they are male or female. And there is no sign that would ever determine that they were definitely male or female.

Usage notes

• Potentially offensive when used in regards to intersex persons in day-to-day contexts.

Coordinate terms

• זָכָר (zakhár)
• נְקֵבָה (neqevá)
• טוּמְטוּם (tumtúm)
• אַיְלוֹנִית (aylonít)
• סָרִיס (sarís)