The word "transvestite" is spelled with the prefix "trans-" which means "across or beyond". The word "vest" means "clothing". The "-ite" suffix is used to refer to a person who has a certain quality or belongs to a group. In phonetic transcription, "transvestite" is pronounced as /trænzˈvɛstaɪt/. The first syllable "trans" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, while "vest" is pronounced with a short "e" sound. The final syllable "-ite" is pronounced with a long "i" sound.
Transvestite is a noun that refers to a person who dresses in clothing typically associated with the opposite gender, especially for the purpose of emotional or sexual gratification. The term is often associated with individuals who identify as cross-dressers, expressing themselves through attire that does not conform to societal expectations based on their assigned gender at birth. Transvestites may dress in clothing, adopt hairstyles, use makeup, or accessories that are traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
The act of cross-dressing by transvestites is not an indication of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. While some transvestites may identify as transgender, others may identify as cisgender, experiencing varying levels of comfort with their assigned gender. It is important to note that the term "transvestite" is considered outdated by some individuals and communities, who prefer alternative terms such as "cross-dresser" or "gender nonconforming."
Transvestitism is often seen as a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to explore and challenge societal norms and expectations surrounding gender and clothing. In many cases, transvestites dress and act according to their assigned gender during their daily lives and only engage in cross-dressing in specific settings or for personal enjoyment. It is crucial to approach the topic with respect and understanding, recognizing the diverse ways in which individuals choose to express their identities.
A person who delights in masquerading in the clothing of the opposite sex.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word transvestite is derived from merging two Latin terms. The first part, trans, meaning beyond or across, originates from Latin and is used as a prefix in various English words indicating crossing or transcending. The second part, vestite, is derived from the Latin word vestire, meaning to dress or to clothe. Together, transvestite literally means one who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex.