Contents
English
Etymology
From homo- from Ancient Greek ὁμός (homos), “same”) + sexual.
Pronunciation
Adjective
homosexual (comparative more homosexual, superlative most homosexual)
- (of a person or animal) Sexually attracted solely or primarily to other members of the same sex.
- 1983: Michael W. Ross, Homosexuality and Social Sex Roles
- "Significant results indicate that Swedes would choose a more masculine partner the more homosexual they are, and that Finns would choose a more attractive partner the more homosexual they are."
- 1983: Michael W. Ross, Homosexuality and Social Sex Roles
- Pertaining to homosexuality, as a relationship, an attraction, a desire, etc.
- Intended for or used by homosexuals, as a nightclub, a bar, etc.
Usage notes
- Many homosexual people prefer to be referred to by the adjective (and noun) gay.
- Many female homosexuals prefer to be referred to as lesbians.
- Many people now avoid using the term homosexual because of the emphasis this term places on sexuality. Indeed, the words gay and lesbian, which stress cultural and social matters over sex, are frequently better choices. Homosexual is most objectionable when used as a noun; here "gay man" and either "gay woman" or "lesbian" and their plural forms are called for. It is generally unobjectionable when used adjectivally, as in "a homosexual relationship", although "gay", "lesbian", or "same-sex" are also available for adjectival use.
- Pronunciation: The word "homosexual" derives from the Greek word for "same", which is traditionally pronounced /ˈhɒməʊ/, /"hQm@U/ in words derived from it, rather than the Latin word homo (“man”), which is pronounced /ˈhɒməʊ/, /"hQməU/ (RP) in English words derived from it. Hence the etymology indicates that the appropriate pronunciation of the vowel in the first syllable is /ɒ/, /Q/, but the pronunciation with the long vowel /əʊ/, /@U/ in this position is much more commonly heard, and is the only correct pronunciation of the shortened form homo.
- Because of the similarity of homo- to the Latin word for man, the term homosexual is sometimes interpreted as meaning "sexually attracted solely or primarily to [other] men".
Synonyms
- (sexually attracted solely or primarily to the same sex): gay, lesbian (used only of women)
- (involving or relating to homosexuals): gay, lesbian (used only of women), same-sex
- (intended for or used by homosexuals): gay, lesbian (used only of women)
Antonyms
- (sexually attracted solely or primarily to the same sex): heterosexual, straight
- (involving or relating to homosexuals): heterosexual
- (intended for or used by homosexuals): heterosexual, straight
Noun
homosexual (plural homosexuals)
- A person who is attracted solely or primarily to others of the same sex.
Usage notes
- Female homosexuals are also known as lesbians, a term preferred by many of them. As homosexual applies to people of either sex, the expression homosexuals and lesbians is a pleonasm and is best replaced by "homosexuals" or "lesbians" alone as appropriate, or "gay people" (see also the usage notes for the adjective, and for gay).
Derived terms
Synonyms
- This section is divided into two tables, one containing synonyms that generally are not derogatory and one containing those that generally are. However, note that the non-derogatory terms can nonetheless be used derogatorily, and that some of the derogatory ones are often used humorously and non-derogatorily by gays and allies.
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Translations
person who is attracted solely or primarily to others of the same sex
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Basque
Adjective
homosexual
Catalan
Pronunciation
Adjective
homosexual m and f (plural homosexuals)
Noun
homosexual m. and f. (plural homosexuals)
Related terms
Romanian
Etymology
French homosexuel.
Pronunciation
- IPA: [homoseksuˈal]
Adjective
homosexual 4 nom/acc forms
Declension
declension of homosexual| singular | plural | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| masculine | neuter | feminine | masculine | neuter | feminine | ||
| nominative/ accusative | indefinite | homosexual | homosexual | homosexuală | homosexuali | homosexuale | homosexuale |
| definite | homosexualul | homosexualul | homosexuala | homosexualii | homosexualele | homosexualele | |
| genitive/ dative | indefinite | homosexual | homosexual | homosexuale | homosexuali | homosexuale | homosexuale |
| definite | homosexualului | homosexualului | homosexualei | homosexualilor | homosexualelor | homosexualelor | |
Noun
homosexual m. (plural homosexuali; feminine equivalent homosexuală)
Declension
declension of homosexual| singular | plural | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gender m. | indefinite articulation | definite articulation | indefinite articulation | definite articulation |
| Nominative/Accusative | un homosexual | homosexualul | nişte homosexuali | homosexualii |
| Genitive/Dative | unui homosexual | homosexualului | unor homosexuali | homosexualilor |
| Vocative | — | — | — | — |
Related terms
- homosexualitate
- gay
- lesbian / lesbiană
- poponar (pejorative)
- bulangiu (pejorative)
Spanish
Etymology
From homo- + sexual.
Adjective
homosexual m. and f. (plural homosexuales)
Noun
homosexual m. and f. (plural homosexuales)
Antonyms
Related terms
- homosexualidad
- maricón (pejorative)
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smh.com.au
Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:24:54 GMT+00:00
history Sydney Morning Herald There was a time, not that long ago, when homosexuals didn't `exist' in Brisbane. The Prejudice and Pride exhibition tracks the evolution of the gay and ... With Obama's blessings, LGBT month kicks off OneNewsNow President Proclaims Gay Pride Month CitizenLink
orthodoxytoday.org
Blog-Editor
Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:29:17 GM
Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Democratic nominee for US Senator and a member of the Greek Orthodox Church supports . homosexual. marriage. Since when is a stand against the moral tradition an act of bravery? Why the accolade for a position ...
What evidence is there that homosexual behavior contributed by a persons genetic makeup?
Q. What evidence is there that homosexual behavior contributed by a persons genetic makeup? What evidence is there in humans? What about evidence in other sexual reproducing species? What evidence is there that disproves this? If you can please provide links: Preferably to peer-reviewed journal articles. Not a requirement but...it makes you a lot more credible. Thanks. Chris: ?? No? I don't know of that episode. I'm not to fond of that show.
Asked by Pursuit of Dorkness - Sun Jun 27 22:43:49 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. There have been a number of twin studies that demonstrate genetic components of sexual orientation. Identical twins are more likely to both be gay than fraternal twins, who are more likely to both be gay than non-twin siblings. These likelihoods don't point the finger at genes alone, as not all individuals with a gay identical twin were gay themselves, but they also rule out that sexual orientation is entirely environmental. If it were, there would be no observed correlation based on genetic relatedness. I don't have a peer-reviewed article for that, but such studies are mentioned in the book "The Science of Desire: The Search for the Gay Gene and the Biology of Behavior" by Dean Hamer and Peter Copeland. Dean Hamer conducted some of… [cont.]
Answered by Indog - Sun Jun 27 23:15:57 2010
Q. What evidence is there that homosexual behavior contributed by a persons genetic makeup? What evidence is there in humans? What about evidence in other sexual reproducing species? What evidence is there that disproves this? If you can please provide links: Preferably to peer-reviewed journal articles. Not a requirement but...it makes you a lot more credible. Thanks. Chris: ?? No? I don't know of that episode. I'm not to fond of that show.
Asked by Pursuit of Dorkness - Sun Jun 27 22:43:49 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. There have been a number of twin studies that demonstrate genetic components of sexual orientation. Identical twins are more likely to both be gay than fraternal twins, who are more likely to both be gay than non-twin siblings. These likelihoods don't point the finger at genes alone, as not all individuals with a gay identical twin were gay themselves, but they also rule out that sexual orientation is entirely environmental. If it were, there would be no observed correlation based on genetic relatedness. I don't have a peer-reviewed article for that, but such studies are mentioned in the book "The Science of Desire: The Search for the Gay Gene and the Biology of Behavior" by Dean Hamer and Peter Copeland. Dean Hamer conducted some of… [cont.]
Answered by Indog - Sun Jun 27 23:15:57 2010
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