How Do You Spell INTERSEX?

Pronunciation: [ˌɪntəsˈɛks] (IPA)

The word "intersex" refers to individuals who possess both male and female biological characteristics. It's commonly misspelled as "intersexed," which is incorrect according to the International Intersex Community's guidelines. The correct pronunciation of "intersex" is /ˈɪntərsɛks/. The "ter" sound in the middle is derived from the Latin word, "terra." This spelling follows the pattern of other compound words, such as "interact" and "intercut," which have the infix "-ter-" to signify a relationship between two things.

INTERSEX Meaning and Definition

  1. Intersex is a term used to describe individuals whose biological and physical characteristics do not fit typical definitions of male or female. It is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of variations in sex traits, including chromosomes, hormones, genitals, and reproductive organs.

    An intersex person may be born with different combinations of male and female traits or with atypical chromosomal patterns, such as XXY or XO. Some intersex variations may be visually apparent at birth, with atypical genitalia or ambiguous sex characteristics, while others only become apparent later in life, during puberty or when attempting to conceive a child.

    Intersex is not a disorder or a condition that requires medical treatment but rather a natural variation of human biology. It is estimated that around 1 in 2,000 individuals is born intersex.

    It is important to recognize the diversity of intersex people and respect their right to self-identify and choose their own gender identity. Intersex individuals may choose to identify as a man, a woman, both, neither, or as a different gender altogether. It is essential to support intersex people's autonomy and provide them with the necessary information, resources, and healthcare options to make informed decisions about their bodies and identities.

Common Misspellings for INTERSEX

Etymology of INTERSEX

The word "intersex" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: "inter", meaning "between", and "sexus", translating to "sex". The term was first used in the mid-20th century to refer to individuals born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit typical definitions of male or female and can vary to varying degrees. The word was coined to describe the phenomenon and its associated conditions, replacing older terms such as "hermaphrodite" that were considered outdated and stigmatizing.

Similar spelling words for INTERSEX

Plural form of INTERSEX is INTERSEXES

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