SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTIC

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does secondary sex characteristic mean? 

• SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTIC (noun)
  The noun SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTIC has 1 sense:

1. the genetically determined sex characteristics that are not functionally necessary for reproduction (pitch of the voice and body hair and musculature)

  Familiarity information: SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTIC used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The genetically determined sex characteristics that are not functionally necessary for reproduction (pitch of the voice and body hair and musculature)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

secondary sex character; secondary sex characteristic; secondary sexual characteristic

Hypernyms ("secondary sex characteristic" is a kind of...):

sex character; sex characteristic; sexual characteristic (those characteristics (both anatomical and psychological) that are strongly associated with one sex relative to the other)

 Context examples 

A congenital disorder characterized by the presence of extremely hypoplastic gonads preventing the development of secondary sex characteristics.

(Gonadal dysgenesis, NCI Thesaurus)

The gene products are responsible for normal growth and development of male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics.

(Methyltestosterone, NCI Thesaurus)

The period of life beginning with the appearance of secondary sex characteristics and terminating with the cessation of somatic growth.

(Adolescence, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Inappropriate secondary sex characteristics in the neonate usually due to in utero androgen exposure.

(Fetal Virilization, NCI Thesaurus)

Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for the formation of male primary sex characteristics and most male secondary sex characteristics during puberty, such as muscular growth, facial and body hair growth, and deepening of the voice.

(Dihydrotestosterone, NCI Thesaurus)

The activated complex binds to the estrogen response element on the DNA and activates the transcription of genes involved in the functioning of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.

(Estradiol Acetate, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by a strong and persistent cross-gender identification (such as stating a desire to be the other sex or frequently passing as the other sex) coupled with persistent discomfort with his or her sex (manifested in adults, for example, as a preoccupation with altering primary and secondary sex characteristics through hormonal manipulation or surgery).

(Gender Identity Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)