phallus

American  

[fal-uhs] / ˈfæl əs /

noun

plural

phalli, phalluses

1. an image of the male reproductive organ, especially that carried in procession in ancient festivals of Dionysus, or Bacchus, symbolizing the generative power in nature.

2. Anatomy. the penis, the clitoris, or the sexually undifferentiated embryonic organ out of which either of these develops.

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phallus British  

/ ˈfæləs /

noun

1. another word for penis

2. an image of the penis, esp as a religious symbol of reproductive power

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Etymology

Origin of phallus

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin, from Greek phallós “penis”; see also bull ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The likes of Bullet Candy, Irukandji and the incredibly named Space Phallus have earned him a growing fanbase of schmup obessives.What is he doing?

From The Guardian • Feb. 28, 2011

A new species of stinkhorn from Africa, Phallus drewesii, has been named in honour of the California Academy of Sciences herpetologist Dr Robert Drewes.

From The Guardian • May 23, 2010

When, in 1562, the protestants destroyed the church of St. Eutropius, in this town, they seized the enormous Phallus and burned it in the market place.

From Aphrodisiacs and Anti-aphrodisiacs: Three Essays on the Powers of Reproduction by Davenport, John

Mr. Sowerby remarks—"I have often placed specimens of the Phallus caninus by a window over-night, while in the egg-form, and they have been fully grown by the morning."

From The Book of Household Management by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)

Among the sect known as Lingaites, those who adored the male creative power, Man, Phallus, and Creator in religious symbolism signified one and the same thing in the minds of the people.

From The God-Idea of the Ancients or Sex in Religion by Gamble, Eliza Burt