clitoris

American  

[klit-er-is, kli-tawr-is] / ˈklɪt ər ɪs, klɪˈtɔr ɪs /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

clitorises, clitorides

1. the erectile organ of the vulva, used exclusively for sexual arousal and stimulation: located inside of the vulva except for the protruding glans.

2. glans clitoris.

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clitoris British  

/ ˈklɪtərɪs, ˈklaɪ- /

noun

1. a part of the female genitalia consisting of a small elongated highly sensitive erectile organ at the front of the vulva: homologous with the penis

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clitoris Scientific  

/ klĭt′ər-ĭs,klĭ-tôr′ĭs /

1. A sensitive external organ of the reproductive system in female mammals and some other animals that is capable of becoming erect. It is located above or in front of the urethra.

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Other Word Forms

• clitoral adjective
• clitoric adjective
• clitoridean adjective

Etymology

Origin of clitoris

First recorded in 1605–15; from Greek kleitorís, akin to kleíein “to shut”

Explanation

The clitoris is a female sexual organ. A certain type of embryonic tissue develops either into a penis, in male babies, or a clitoris, in female babies. Like the penis, the clitoris has many sensitive nerve endings. It is located at the anterior end of the vulva.

Example Sentences

For example, artificial insemination studies in cattle have found stimulation of the clitoris can help increase pregnancy.

From Scientific American • Feb. 16, 2023

Her co-authored paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B Journal this week locates the clitoris in a female snake's tail.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2022

In a paper published Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, scientists provide the first proper scientific description of the hemiclitores, or a bifurcated clitoris in female snakes.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2022

Do you feel uncomfortable saying the word clitoris?

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2019

Morgagni describes a supernumerary left nympha, and Petit is accredited with seeing a case which exhibited neither nymphae, clitoris, nor urinary meatus.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)