Femininity
/ˌfɛm.ɪˈnɪn.ɪ.ti/noun
The quality of being female or having traits traditionally associated with women.
Did you know?The roots of 'femininity' connect back to a time when female traits were linked to sacred powers and divine mysteries in various cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰéǵʰōm
“Mother, goddess, or female figure of reverence.”
Latin
Latin
femina
“Woman or female, often associated with nurturing and fertility.”
Old French
Old French
feminine
“Belonging to the female gender; associated with traits of gentleness.”
Middle English
Middle English
feminine
“Pertaining to women or girls; characterized by softness or delicacy.”
19th Century
English
femininity
“The quality or state of being female; embodying the traits traditionally attributed to women.”