How Do You Spell UNSEX?

Pronunciation: [ʌnsˈɛks] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "unsex" may be confusing to some, as it combines the prefix "un-" with the word "sex". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ʌnˈsɛks/. The letter "x" is used to represent the phoneme /ks/, which is a combination of the sounds /k/ and /s/. The prefix "un-" means not or the reversal of the base word, while "sex" refers to the biological distinction between male and female. Together, "unsex" means to remove the gender or sexual identity of someone.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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UNSEX Meaning and Definition

  1. Unsex is a transitive verb that refers to the act of removing or depriving an individual, typically a woman, of her gender-specific qualities, attributes, or characteristics. The term is derived from the prefix "un-", which denotes negation or reversal, combined with the word "sex," pertaining to biological differences between male and female. Unsex can be seen as a literary or poetic expression, attaining prominence in Shakespearean literature, particularly in Macbeth.

    In the context of Shakespeare's tragedy, unsex specifically connotes a transformation of a woman into a being devoid of femininity, often associated with the qualities traditionally attributed to females, such as nurturing, compassion, gentleness, or vulnerability. The phrase suggests a desire to renounce or abandon the inherent nature of one's gender, seeking instead to adopt the characteristics typically associated with masculinity.

    Beyond its literary usage, unsex can be employed metaphorically to indicate a neutralization or removal of gender distinctions more broadly. This concept can extend to situations where an individual or a group wishes to eliminate gender biases or expectations, seeking equality based on merit and devoid of gender-related preconceptions.

    The term "unsex" reflects a sense of dramatic transformation or negation of the traditionally understood gender attributes, and its usage often highlights the complex relationship between gender identity, social expectations, and individual agency.

  2. To castrate, to deprive of the ovaries.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. To make otherwise than the sex commonly is; to deprive of qualities natural to the sex.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for UNSEX

Etymology of UNSEX

The word "unsex" is derived from the Old English word "unsēocan" which means "to make sick" or "to unsex". The term is a combination of the prefix "un-" (indicating negation or reversal) and the word "sex", which refers to the biological and physiological distinctions typically associated with being male or female. In early usage, "unsex" referred to the act of rendering someone or something genderless or not conforming to traditional gender roles, often used metaphorically in literary and poetic works. Notably, the word gained significant attention and popularity through its use in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", in which Lady Macbeth calls upon supernatural forces to "unsex" her and strip away her femininity in order to carry out evil deeds.

Similar spelling words for UNSEX

Conjugate verb Unsex

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have unsexed
you would have unsexed
he/she/it would have unsexed
we would have unsexed
they would have unsexed
I would have unsex
you would have unsex
he/she/it would have unsex
we would have unsex
they would have unsex

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been unsexing
you would have been unsexing
he/she/it would have been unsexing
we would have been unsexing
they would have been unsexing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would unsex
you would unsex
he/she/it would unsex
we would unsex
they would unsex

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be unsexing
you would be unsexing
he/she/it would be unsexing
we would be unsexing
they would be unsexing

FUTURE

I will unsex
you will unsex
he/she/it will unsex
we will unsex
they will unsex

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be unsexing
you will be unsexing
he/she/it will be unsexing
we will be unsexing
they will be unsexing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have unsexed
you will have unsexed
he/she/it will have unsexed
we will have unsexed
they will have unsexed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been unsexing
you will have been unsexing
he/she/it will have been unsexing
we will have been unsexing
they will have been unsexing

IMPERATIVE

you unsex
we let´s unsex

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to unsex

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was unsexing
you were unsexing
he/she/it was unsexing
we were unsexing
they were unsexing

PAST PARTICIPLE

unsexed

PAST PERFECT

I had unsexed
you had unsexed
he/she/it had unsexed
we had unsexed
they had unsexed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been unsexing
you had been unsexing
he/she/it had been unsexing
we had been unsexing
they had been unsexing

PRESENT

I unsex
you unsex
he/she/it unsexes
we unsex
they unsex

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am unsexing
you are unsexing
he/she/it is unsexing
we are unsexing
they are unsexing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

unsexing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have unsexed
you have unsexed
he/she/it has unsexed
we have unsexed
they have unsexed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been unsexing
you have been unsexing
he/she/it has been unsexing
we have been unsexing
they have been unsexing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it unsex

SIMPLE PAST

I unsexed
you unsexed
he/she/it unsexed
we unsexed
they unsexed

Infographic

Correct spelling for unsex
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