Adjacent Words

Virile definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

VI'RILE, a. [L. virilis, from vir, a man, vireo.]
1. Pertaining to a man, in the eminent sense of the word, [not to man, in the sense of the human race;] belonging to the male sex; as virile age.
2. Masculine; not puerile or feminine; as virile strength or vigor.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: characterized by energy and vigor; "a virile and ever stronger free society"; "a new and virile leadership"
2: characteristic of a man; "a deep male voice"; "manly sports" [syn: male, manful, manlike, manly, virile]
3: (of a male) capable of copulation [syn: potent, virile] [ant: impotent]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French viril, from Latin virilis, from vir man, male; akin to Old English & Old High German wer man, Sanskrit v?ra Date: 15th century 1. having the nature, properties, or qualities of an adult male; specifically capable of functioning as a male in copulation 2. energetic, vigorous 3. a. characteristic of or associated with men ; masculine b. having traditionally masculine traits especially to a marked degree 4. masterful, forceful • virilely adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. 1 of or characteristic of a man; having masculine (esp. sexual) vigour or strength. 2 of or having procreative power. 3 of a man as distinct from a woman or child. Derivatives: virility n. Etymology: ME f. F viril or L virilis f. vir man

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Virile Vi"rile (?; 277), a. [L. virilis, fr. vir a man; akin to AS. wer: cf. F. viril. See Werewolf, World, and cf. Decemvir, Virago, Virtue.] Having the nature, properties, or qualities, of an adult man; characteristic of developed manhood; hence, masterful; forceful; specifically, capable of begetting; -- opposed to womanly, feminine, and puerile; as, virile age, virile power, virile organs.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. If you describe a man as virile, you mean that he has the qualities that a man is traditionally expected to have, such as strength and sexual power. He wanted his sons to become strong, virile, and athletic like himself. ADJ • virility Children are also considered proof of a man's virility. N-UNCOUNT 2. Something that is described as virile is considered to be very strong and forceful. (LITERARY) ...Prokofiev's most virile, aggressive music. ADJ

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. 1. Of a man. 2. Manly, masculine, vigorous.

Moby Thesaurus

broad-shouldered, decisive, driving, energetic, forceful, hairychested, he-mannish, macho, male, manful, manlike, manly, mannish, masculine, potent, robust, ultramasculine, viripotent