Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sexual
Sex′u-al
,Adj.
[L.
sexualis
, fr. sexus
sex: cf. F. sexuel
.] Of or pertaining to sex, or the sexes; distinguishing sex; peculiar to the distinction and office of male or female; relating to the distinctive genital organs of the sexes; proceeding from, or based upon, sex;
as,
. sexual
characteristics; sexual
intercourse, connection, or commerce; sexual
desire; sexual
diseases; sexual
generationSexual dimorphism
(Biol.)
, the condition of having one of the sexes existing in two forms, or varieties, differing in color, size, etc., as in many species of butterflies which have two kinds of females.
– Sexual method
(Bot.)
, a method of classification proposed by Linnaeus, founded mainly on difference in number and position of the stamens and pistils of plants.
– Sexual selection
(Biol.)
, the selective preference of one sex for certain characteristics in the other, such as bright colors, musical notes, etc.; also, the selection which results from certain individuals of one sex having more opportunities of pairing with the other sex, on account of greater activity, strength, courage, etc.; applied likewise to that kind of evolution which results from such sexual preferences.
Darwin.
In these cases, therefore, natural selection seems to have acted independently of
sexual selection
. A. R. Wallace.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sexual
SEX'UAL
,Adj.
1. Pertaining to sex or the sexes; distinguishing the sex; denoting what is particular to the distinction and office of male and female; as sexual characteristics; sexual intercourse, connection or commerce.
2. Sexual systemm in botany, the system which ascribes to vegetables the distinction of sexes, suppose that plants are male and female, each sex furnished with the appropriate organs or parts; the male producing a pollen or dust which fecundates the stigma of the pistil or female organ, and is necessary to render it prolific. It is found however that most plants are hermaphrodite, the male and female organs being contained in the same flower. This doctrine was taught to a certain extent by Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny among the ancients, but has been more fully illustrated by Caesalpinus, Grew, Camerarius, Linne and many others among the moderns.