her·maph·ro·dite
(ˌ)hər-ˈma-frə-ˌdīt
plural hermaphrodites
1
: an animal or plant having both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : an organism exhibiting hermaphroditism
2
: something that is a combination of diverse elements
: possessing both male and female reproductive organs, structures, or tissue : hermaphroditic
hermaphrodite plants
Like their relatives the earthworms, leeches are hermaphrodite animals. Each individual has both male and female sex organs but cannot fertilize itself.—Mark Carwardine
Cite this Entry
“Hermaphrodite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermaphrodite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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