Lesbian

[lez-bee-uh n] /ˈlɛz bi ən/

adjective
1.
of or relating to Lesbos.
2.
(usually lowercase) of, relating to, or characteristic of female homosexuality.
3.
(usually lowercase) erotic; sensual.
noun
4.
an inhabitant of Lesbos.
5.
(usually lowercase) a female homosexual.
/ˈlɛzbɪən/
noun
1.
a female homosexual
adjective
2.
of or characteristic of lesbians
/ˈlɛzbɪən/
noun
1.
a native or inhabitant of Lesbos
2.
the Aeolic dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Lesbos
adjective
3.
of or relating to Lesbos
4.
of or relating to the poetry of Lesbos, esp that of Sappho
adj.

1590s, “pertaining to the island of Lesbos,” from Latin Lesbius, from Greek lesbios “of Lesbos,” Greek island in northeastern Aegean Sea (the name originally may have meant “wooded”), home of Sappho, great lyric poet whose erotic and romantic verse embraced women as well as men, hence meaning “relating to homosexual relations between women” (1890; lesbianism in this sense is attested from 1870) and the noun, first recorded 1925. Before this, the principal figurative use (common in 17c.) was lesbian rule (c.1600) a mason’s rule of lead, of a type used on Lesbos, which could be bent to fit the curves of a molding; hence, “pliant morality or judgment.”

And this is the nature of the equitable, a correction of law where it is defective owing to its universality. … For when the thing is indefinite the rule also is indefinite, like the leaden rule used in making the Lesbian moulding; the rule adapts itself to the shape of the stone and is not rigid, and so too the decree is adapted to the facts. [Aristotle, “Nicomachean Ethics”]

Cf. also tribadism.

lesbian les·bi·an (lěz’bē-ən)
n.
A gay or homosexual woman. adj.
Of, relating to, or being a lesbian.

A homosexual woman. (See also gay.)