Individuals of the sex that typically produces eggs or gives birth to offspring in sexually reproducing species. In humans, refers to women and girls.
From Latin 'femella', diminutive of 'femina' (woman), literally meaning 'little woman'. The word entered English through Old French 'femelle' and has maintained its biological meaning across languages, though usage in human contexts requires sensitivity.
The word 'female' is actually etymologically unrelated to 'male' - it comes from Latin 'femina' (woman) while 'male' comes from 'masculus'. The similar spelling is pure coincidence, but they've influenced each other's modern forms!
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