Clitoric


[klit-er-is, klahy-ter-, kli-tawr-is, -tohr-] /ˈklɪt ər ɪs, ˈklaɪ tər-, klɪˈtɔr ɪs, -ˈtoʊr-/

noun, Anatomy.
1.
the erectile organ of the vulva, homologous to the penis of the male.
/ˈklɪtərɪs; ˈklaɪ-/
noun
1.
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
n.

“erectile organ of female mammals,” 1610s, coined in Modern Latin from Late Greek kleitoris, a diminutive, but the exact sense intended by the coiners is uncertain. Perhaps from Greek kleiein “to sheathe,” also “to shut,” in reference to its being covered by the labia minora. The related Greek noun form kleis has a second meaning of “a key, a latch or hook (to close a door);” see close (v.), and cf. slot (n.2).

Alternatively, perhaps related to Greek kleitys, a variant of klitys “side of a hill,” itself related to klinein “to slope,” from the same root as climax (see lean (v.)), and with a sense of “little hill.” Some ancient medical sources give a supposed Greek verb kleitoriazein “to touch or titillate lasciviously, to tickle” (cf. German slang der Kitzler “clitoris,” literally “the tickler”), but the verb is likely from the anatomy in this case.

The anatomist Mateo Renaldo Colombo (1516-1559), professor at Padua, claimed to have discovered it (“De re anatomica,” 1559, p. 243). He called it amor Veneris, vel dulcedo “the love or sweetness of Venus.” It had been known earlier to women.

clitoris clit·o·ris (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.
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.

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    [klit-er-i-dek-tuh-mee] /ˌklɪt ər ɪˈdɛk tə mi/ noun, plural clitoridectomies. 1. the excision of the clitoris, usually performed as part of female initiation rites, mainly among certain African peoples, but also sometimes used in various societies to curb sexual desire; female circumcision. /ˌklɪtərɪˈdɛktəmɪ/ noun (pl) -mies 1. surgical removal of the clitoris: a form of female […]

  • Clitoriditis

    clitoriditis clit·o·ri·di·tis (klĭt’ər-ĭ-dī’tĭs, klī’tər-) or clit·o·ri·tis (klĭt’ə-rī’tĭs, klī’tə-) n. Inflammation of the clitoris.

  • Clitoris

    [klit-er-is, klahy-ter-, kli-tawr-is, -tohr-] /ˈklɪt ər ɪs, ˈklaɪ tər-, klɪˈtɔr ɪs, -ˈtoʊr-/ noun, Anatomy. 1. the erectile organ of the vulva, homologous to the penis of the male. /ˈklɪtərɪs; ˈklaɪ-/ noun 1. a part of the female genitalia consisting of a small elongated highly sensitive erectile organ at the front of the vulva: homologous with […]

  • Clitorises

    [klit-er-is, klahy-ter-, kli-tawr-is, -tohr-] /ˈklɪt ər ɪs, ˈklaɪ tər-, klɪˈtɔr ɪs, -ˈtoʊr-/ noun, Anatomy. 1. the erectile organ of the vulva, homologous to the penis of the male. /ˈklɪtərɪs; ˈklaɪ-/ noun 1. a part of the female genitalia consisting of a small elongated highly sensitive erectile organ at the front of the vulva: homologous with […]

  • Clitorism

    clitorism clit·o·rism (klĭt’ə-rĭz’əm, klī’tə-) n. Prolonged and usually painful erection of the clitoris.


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