phallus

American  

[fal-uhs] / ˈfæl əs /

noun

phalli, plural phalluses plural

1. an image of the male reproductive organ, especially that carried in procession in ancient festivals of Dionysus, or Bacchus, symbolizing the generative power in nature.

2. Anatomy. the penis, the clitoris, or the sexually undifferentiated embryonic organ out of which either of these develops.

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phallus British  

/ ˈfæləs /

noun

1. another word for penis

2. an image of the penis, esp as a religious symbol of reproductive power

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• phalli
  plural
• phalluses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of phallus

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin, from Greek phallós “penis”; see also bull ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The likes of Bullet Candy, Irukandji and the incredibly named Space Phallus have earned him a growing fanbase of schmup obessives.What is he doing?

From The Guardian • Feb. 28, 2011

A new species of stinkhorn from Africa, Phallus drewesii, has been named in honour of the California Academy of Sciences herpetologist Dr Robert Drewes.

From The Guardian • May 23, 2010

Phallus esculentus.—The morel grows in wet banks and moist pastures.

From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by Salisbury, William

Among the sect known as Lingaites, those who adored the male creative power, Man, Phallus, and Creator in religious symbolism signified one and the same thing in the minds of the people.

From The God-Idea of the Ancients or Sex in Religion by Gamble, Eliza Burt

Spores at first borne in an egg-like sac, when ripe elevated on a cap at the top of the stem, no veil, has an odious smell, Phallus, stink-horn fungus.

From Among the Mushrooms A Guide For Beginners by Dallas, Ellen M.