dioecious

or di·e·cious

[ dahy-ee-shuhs ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. (especially of plants) having the male and female organs in separate and distinct individuals; having separate sexes.

dioecious

/ daɪˈɔɪkəs; daɪˈiːʃəs /

adjective

1. (of some plants) having the male and female reproductive organs in separate flowers on separate plants Compare monoecious

dioecious

/ dī-ē′shəs /

1. Having male flowers on one plant and female flowers on another plant of the same species. The holly and asparagus plants are dioecious.
2. Compare monoecious

Derived Forms

• diˈoeciously, adverb
• diˈoeciousness, noun

Other Words From

• di·oecious·ly adverb
• di·oecious·ness noun
• di·oe·cism [dahy-, ee, -siz-, uh, m], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dioecious¹

1740–50; < New Latin Dioeci ( a ) a class name ( di- di- ¹ + Greek oikía a house, dwelling, spelling variant of oîkos ) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of dioecious¹

C18: from New Latin Dioecia name of class, from di ¹+ Greek oikia house, dwelling

Example Sentences

Grapes are not to-day considered dioecious but polygamo-dioecious, a distinction which will be defined later.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, in the case of dioecious trees, only the female or pistillate bear fruit.

From Project Gutenberg

If I am right, it is very advisable not to use the term "dioecious," as this at once brings notions of separation of sexes.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers are dioecious, rarely monoecious, provided with one or two perianths.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers have no petals and are polygamous or dioecious (male, female and hermaphrodite flowers occur).

From Project Gutenberg