Hermaphroditic

/hɜːˌmæfrəˈdɪtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Describing organisms or individuals that possess reproductive organs or characteristics of both sexes, or anything having two opposite qualities combined.

Etymology

From 'hermaphrodite' plus the suffix '-ic'; developed in English as biologists needed adjectives to describe organisms with both male and female traits.

Kelly Says

Some of the most successful creatures on Earth are hermaphroditic—they're evolution's flexible solution to survival, which might explain why so many plants and invertebrates chose this path.

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