clitoris

[ klit-er-is, klahy-ter-, kli-tawr-is, -tohr- ]

/ ˈklɪt ər ɪs, ˈklaɪ tər-, klɪˈtɔr ɪs, -ˈtoʊr- /

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noun Anatomy.

the erectile organ of the vulva, homologous to the penis of the male.

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Origin of clitoris

1605–15; <Greek kleitorís, akin to kleíein to shut

OTHER WORDS FROM clitoris

clit·o·ral, cli·tor·ic

[kli-tawr-ik, -tor-, klahy-], /klɪˈtɔr ɪk, -ˈtɒr-, klaɪ-/, clit·o·rid·e·an

[klit-uh-rid-ee-uhn, klahy-tuh-], /ˌklɪt əˈrɪd i ən, ˌklaɪ tə-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for clitoris

clitoris

/ (ˈklɪtərɪs, ˈklaɪ-) /

noun

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

Derived forms of clitoris

clitoral, adjective

Word Origin for clitoris

C17: from New Latin, from Greek kleitoris; related to Greek kleiein to close

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for clitoris

clitoris

[ klĭt′ər-ĭs, klī′tər- ]

n. pl. cli•to•ri•des (klĭ-tôr′ĭ-dēz′)

A small erectile body situated at the anterior portion of the vulva and projecting between the branched extremities of the labia minora forming its prepuce and frenulum.

Scientific definitions for clitoris

clitoris

[ klĭt′ər-ĭs, klĭ-tôr′ĭs ]

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.