unsex

[ʌnˈsɛks]

unsex Definition

• 1. to deprive of the qualities or attributes of one's sex, especially the female sex
• 2. to make impersonal or unfeeling

Using unsex: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "unsex" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  In the play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to unsex her and fill her with cruelty.

• Example

  The military training was designed to unsex the recruits and make them more aggressive.

• Example

  The company's strict policies seemed to unsex the employees and make them less empathetic.

unsex Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for unsex

• emasculate
• castrate
• degender

Phrases with unsex

• unsex oneself

  to behave in a way that is not typical of one's gender

  Example

  She unsexed herself by wearing a suit and tie to the formal event.

• unsexed voice

  a voice that lacks the typical characteristics of one's gender

  Example

  The singer's unsexed voice made it difficult to determine whether they were male or female.

• unsexing effect

  the effect of making someone or something less feminine or masculine

  Example

  The androgynous clothing had an unsexing effect on the models, blurring the lines between genders.

Origins of unsex

from Middle English 'un-' (not) + 'sexen' (to determine the sex of)

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Summary: unsex in Brief

'Unsex' [ʌnˈsɛks] is a verb that means to remove or deprive someone or something of their typical gender qualities or attributes. This can be seen in literature, such as Lady Macbeth's request to the spirits to unsex her, or in military training designed to make recruits more aggressive. The term also extends to phrases like 'unsex oneself,' which means to behave in a way that is not typical of one's gender.