Virilisation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The biological process whereby an individual develops male physical traits, commonly influenced by hormonal factors, is known as the transition to male characteristics
2. This transformation refers to the emergence of masculine attributes in an organism, primarily triggered by hormonal changes
3. The process by which an organism exhibits male characteristics as a result of hormonal changes signifies the development of physical male traits

Etymology: Virilisation is a plain formation: it combines "virile," from Latin "virilis" ("manly," from "vir," "man"), with the suffix "-isation," which turns an adjective into a noun for a process. The result describes the process of becoming manly, or of a body developing male characteristics. The word's meaning is tied to physiology. In medicine, virilisation refers to the development of male traits in a person or animal, such as deepening of the voice, facial hair, or muscle growth, often in women because of excess androgens. Its literal sense is therefore close to the Latin root, though the modern use is clinical rather than moral.

Synonyms: masculinization, gendering

Antonyms: feminization, womanization