Mas"cu*line (?), a. [L. masculinus, fr. masculus male, manly, dim. of mas a male: cf. F. masculin. See Male masculine.] 1. Of the male sex; not female.
Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy sons.
Chaucer.
2. Having the qualities of a man; suitable to, or characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or effeminate; strong; robust.
That lady, after her husband's death, held the reins with a masculine energy.
Hallam.
3. Belonging to males; appropriated to, or used by, males. [R.] "A masculine church."
Fuller.
4. Gram. Having the inflections of, or construed with, words pertaining especially to male beings, as distinguished from feminine and neuter. See Gender. -- Mas"cu*line*ly, adv. -- Mas"cu*line*ness, n.
© Webster 1913. | 
