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.

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