secondary sex characteristic

n. Any of various physical characteristics that differ between the sexes but do not have a direct reproductive function, appearing in humans at puberty and in other animals at sexual maturity or during the mating season. Also called secondary sexual characteristic.

sec′ondary sex′ characteris`tic

n. any of a number of manifestations, as breasts or a beard, specific to each sex and incipient at puberty but not essential to reproduction. [1925–30]

secondary sex characteristic

Any of the physical traits in a sexually mature animal that are not directly involved in the act of reproducing. They include breast development in female primates, facial-hair growth in young men, the growth of antlers in antelopes, and colorful plumage in male birds. The appearance of secondary sex characteristics is determined by the sex hormones.

Thesaurus

Noun

secondary sex characteristic - the genetically determined sex characteristics that are not functionally necessary for reproduction (pitch of the voice and body hair and musculature)secondary sex character, secondary sexual characteristicsex character, sex characteristic, sexual characteristic - those characteristics (both anatomical and psychological) that are strongly associated with one sex relative to the other

secondary sex characteristic

secondary sex character

a characteristic peculiar to the male or female that develops at puberty (for example, men's beards and women's breasts). Synonym(s): secondary sex characteristic

secondary sex characteristic

Endocrinology The constellation of changes in hair distribution, body configuration, and genital size in boys or girls at the time of puberty Secondary Sex characteristic–♂ External genitalia Penis ↑ in length/diameter; scrotum becomes pigmented and rugose Internal genitalia Prostate, bulbourethral glands, and seminal vesicle enlarge, begin to secrete Body Shoulders broaden, muscle mass ↑ Hair Hair, hair, everywhere; beard, back, chest, anus Mental More aggressive, sexual interest awakens Skin Sebaceous glands ↑, 'Zit Follies' begin Voice Larynx, vocal cords ↑ in size and/or length; voice deepens Secondary Sex characteristic–♀ External genitalia ↑ Size breast, vagina Internal genitalia ↑ Size uterus Body Shoulders are narrow, hips broad, thighs converge and arms diverge–broad carrying angle Hair More scalp hair, less body hair, ♀ escutcheon Voice Nada; voice unchanged

noun

Synonyms for secondary sex characteristic

noun the genetically determined sex characteristics that are not functionally necessary for reproduction (pitch of the voice and body hair and musculature)

Synonyms

secondary sex character
secondary sexual characteristic

Related Words

sex character
sex characteristic
sexual characteristic