freemartin

[free-mahr-tn]

noun

1. a female calf that is born as a twin with a male and is sterile as a result of exposure to masculinizing hormones produced by the male.

freemartin

/ ˈfriːˌmɑːtɪn /

noun

1. the female of a pair of twin calves of unlike sex that is imperfectly developed and sterile, probably due to the influence of the male hormones of its twin during development in the uterus

Word History and Origins

Origin of freemartin¹

First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of freemartin¹

C17: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

"Hmm. Now thens. Do you know where His Vastness the Freemartin Muskish is?"

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“A heifer born with a twin bull is called a ‘freemartin’ and about 95 percent of the time she is infertile,” she said.

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“Most of our girls are freemartins, of course. I’m a freemartin myself.”

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“You can indulge in any number of pleasant vices with a freemartin and run no risks of having your eyes put out by your son’s mistress. ‘The wheel has come full circle; I am here.’

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Freemartin, frē′mar-tin, n. a cow-calf born as a twin with a bull-calf, usually barren.

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