testis
Americannoun
-
testes
plural
noun
-
testes
plural
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of testis
First recorded 1675–85; from Latin: “witness, spectator, testicle”; the sense “male gonad” is a loan translation from Greek parastátēs “bystander, supporter (at law),” in medical usage (in the dual and plural) “the (pair of) glands lying side by side, the testicles” (equivalent to para- para- 1 ( def. ) + the combining form -statēs, from histánai “to make stand.”) Compare Greek prostátēs “one who stands in front, ruler,” in medical usage “the gland lying in front, the prostate ( def. ) ”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In the cell, it binds to other DNA, leading to testis formation, according to the National Library of Medicine.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
Previous research has shown that STK33 is enriched in the testis and is specifically required for the formation of functional sperm.
From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024
"In humans, differently from other animal species and lower mammalians, testis are located outside of the abdomen. This contributes to the maintenance of an organ temperature 2º to 4° C below core body temperature."
From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2024
By employing advanced sequencing techniques, the researchers identified significant differences in DNA methylation across thousands of regions in both the brain and testis of the affected frogs.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 11, 2024
There are three pairs of spermathecae situated in segments III-V, a testis in V and an ovary in VI.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7 "Cerargyrite" to "Charing Cross" by Various
Instead, a subtle form of natural selection within the testes appears to give certain mutations a reproductive advantage, allowing them to become more common during sperm formation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2025
Some can be born with external female genitalia but functioning testes, and are often certified as female at birth and raised as such.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2025
In the brain, sexual differentiation starts before birth and results from a combination of sex chromosomes in brain tissue, sex hormones produced by the testes or ovaries and the environment.
From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2025
Researchers found high levels of microplastics in human and dog testes.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2024
I read about hyperadrenocorticism and feminizing testes and something called cryptorchidism, which applied to me.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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