Phallus
/ˈfæl.əs/noun
The penis, especially when represented as a symbol of fertility or power.
Did you know?In the ancient world, phallic images were used in fertility rites and protective magic, so the word sits right at the crossroads of anatomy, religion, and spellcraft.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰel-
“to swell, blow up”
Ancient Greek
GRK
φαλλός (phallós)
“penis; phallic symbol”
Latin
LAT
phallus
“a phallus; an obscene or ritual emblem”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
LAT
phallus
“the same form, used in learned and ecclesiastical writing”
16th Century
English
phallus
“the penis; a phallic emblem”
Modern English
English
phallus
“the penis, especially as a symbolic or anatomical term”