virile

virile
[[t]vɪ̱raɪl, AM -r(ə)l[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED If you describe a man as virile, you mean that he has the qualities that a man is traditionally expected to have, such as strength and sexual power.

He wanted his sons to become strong, virile, and athletic like himself.

...a tall, virile man with rugged good looks.

Syn:
Derived words:
virility [[t]vɪrɪ̱lɪti[/t]] N-UNCOUNT

Children are also considered proof of a man's virility.

2) ADJ-GRADED Something that is described as virile is considered to be very strong and forceful. [LITERARY]

...Prokofiev's most virile, aggressive music.

...a virile approach to difficulties.

Derived words:
virility N-UNCOUNT

The strength of national electronics industries has become the new test of industrial virility.


English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Virile — Vi rile (?; 277), a. [L. virilis, fr. vir a man; akin to AS. wer: cf. F. viril. See {Werewolf}, {World}, and cf. {Decemvir}, {Virago}, {Virtue}.] Having the nature, properties, or qualities, of an adult man; characteristic of developed manhood;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • virile — (adj.) late 15c., from O.Fr. viril, from L. virilis of a man, manly, from vir a man, a hero, from PIE *uiHro freeman (Cf. Skt. virah, Avestan vira , Lith. vyras, O.Ir. fer, Welsh gwr, Goth. wair, O.E. wer …   Etymology dictionary

  • virile — index potent, spartan, strong Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • virile — agg. [dal lat. virilis, der. di vir uomo (in quanto maschio e adulto)]. 1. a. [di essere umano di sesso maschile: attributi v. ] ▶◀ maschile, maschio, mascolino. ◀▶ (lett.) femmineo, (spreg., non com.) femminesco, femminile, (lett.) femminino,… …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • virile — manful, manly, *male, masculine, manlike, mannish Antonyms: effeminate: impotent (sense 2) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • virile — is pronounced vi riyl in BrE, and also vi rǝl in AmE …   Modern English usage

  • virile — [adj] potent, powerful driving, energetic, forceful, generative, lusty, macho*, procreative, red blooded*, reproductive, robust, sound, strong, vibrant, vigorous, vital; concepts 372,401,404 Ant. effeminate, impotent, unmanly …   New thesaurus

  • virile — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of a man) having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive. 2) vigorous, strong, and manly. DERIVATIVES virility noun. ORIGIN Latin virilis, from vir man …   English terms dictionary

  • virile — [vir′əl; ] chiefly Brit [, vir′īl΄] adj. [L virilis < vir, man: see WEREWOLF] 1. of, belonging to, or characteristic of an adult man; manly; male 2. having manly strength or vigor; forceful 3. of or capable of copulation; sexually potent SYN.… …   English World dictionary

  • virile — vi·rì·le agg. CO 1. di, da uomo, maschile, mascolino: aspetto virile, caratteristiche virili Sinonimi: maschile, maschio, mascolino. Contrari: femmineo, femminile. 2. che è proprio del sesso maschile nella sua maturità: voce virile Contrari:… …   Dizionario italiano

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