Meaning: Asexual
Asexual refers to the absence of sexual attraction or desire toward others. In a broader context, it can also describe organisms or individuals that reproduce without the involvement of sexual processes, such as through budding or cloning.
History and Origins
The term asexual is derived from the Latin word asexus, with a- meaning “without” and sexus meaning “sex” or “gender.” It was first used in the context of biology in the 19th century to describe reproduction in organisms that do not involve sexual intercourse.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- Biology: The process by which an organism reproduces without the fusion of gametes (e.g., through budding, fission, or vegetative reproduction).
- Human/Personal Identity: Describing someone who does not experience sexual attraction to others. It can also refer to someone who does not have a desire to engage in sexual activities, regardless of romantic feelings.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Non-sexual: Not involving or related to sexual activities or attraction.
- Sexual indifference: A lack of interest or attraction to sexual acts or relationships.
- Reproductive asexuality: A biological form of reproduction without sexual interaction, such as in certain plants or microorganisms.
Example Sentences
- Some plants can reproduce asexually, creating clones of the parent plant through processes like budding.
- Alex identifies as asexual and does not experience sexual attraction, although they can still form romantic relationships.
- Asexual reproduction is common in certain species of fungi and bacteria, where offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
Related Words
- Asexuality: The state or condition of being asexual.
- Asexual reproduction: The form of reproduction in which offspring are produced without the fusion of gametes.
- Romantic attraction: A distinct concept from sexual attraction, where individuals may experience emotional or romantic connections without sexual desire.
More Matches
- Autogamy: Self-fertilization, a form of asexual reproduction found in some plants.
- Vegetative reproduction: A method of asexual reproduction in plants where new individuals are formed from the vegetative parts of the parent plant.
- Cloning: The process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, often used in both biological and technological contexts.
Antonyms
- Sexual: Relating to or involving sexual attraction or activity.
- Heterosexual: Attracted to individuals of the opposite sex or gender.
- Bisexual: Attracted to individuals of both the opposite and the same sex or gender.
- Pansexual: Attracted to individuals regardless of sex or gender identity.