Feminine
/ˈfɛmɪnɪn/noun
Relating to or characteristic of women or female gender.
Did you know?The term 'feminine' derives from the Latin 'femina', meaning 'woman', which is linked to the act of nurturing, but also reflects ancient views on gender roles and power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeh₁-
“to suck, to nourish”
Latin
Latin
femina
“a woman, a female”
Late Latin
Late Latin
feminīnus
“of a woman, feminine”
Old French
Old French
feminine
“characteristic of or relating to women”
Middle English
Middle English
feminine
“pertaining to female gender”
Modern English
English
feminine
“relating to or characteristic of women.”
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