erectile

[ih-rek-tl, -til, -tahyl]

adjective

1. capable of being erected or set upright.

2. Anatomy.,  capable of being distended with blood and becoming rigid, as tissue.

erectile

/ ˌiːrɛk-, ɪrɛkˈtɪlɪtɪ, ɪˈrɛktaɪl /

adjective

1. physiol (of tissues or organs, such as the penis or clitoris) capable of becoming rigid or erect as the result of being filled with blood

2. capable of being erected

Other Word Forms

• erectility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of erectile¹

From the French word érectile, dating back to 1820–30. See erect, -ile

Example Sentences

A similar "shockwave" technique is already used to treat other conditions such as injured tendons and ligaments, and erectile disfunction.

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Even though erectile disfunction is a common condition among older men, patients are reluctant to talk about their problems - even with medical experts - and that can could risk the health further.

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The double-walled organ is composed of nerves and red blood cells consistent with erectile tissue, researchers said.

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Not only do snakes have hemiclitores, the study’s authors report, but the organs also contain nerves and erectile tissue, suggesting they serve a reproductive function and are not merely vestigial.

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Despite the evidence, perhaps unsurprisingly most young men the BBC spoke to on the streets of Egypt and Bahrain denied using medicine for erectile problems or even knowing of them.

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