clitoris
UK[ˈklɪtərɪs]US[ˈklɪtərɪs, ˈklaɪtərɪs]
n
A small, sensitive, erectile part of the female genitals at the front of the vulva.
Etymology
The word 'clitoris' entered English in the early 17th century from the Greek 'kleitoris', a noun of uncertain origin. The most plausible etymological theory connects it to the Greek verb 'kleiein', meaning 'to shut' or 'to close', potentially in reference to its anatomical location near the vaginal opening. Another, less likely, theory suggests a link to the Greek word 'kleis' (key). Despite the uncertainty of its precise root, the term was adopted directly into scientific Latin and subsequently into English anatomical terminology, where it has retained its specific reference to the female sexual organ.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Greek. It is not productively segmented into meaningful subparts in modern English spelling.
Examples
The clitoris is highly sensitive and contains a high concentration of nerve endings.
During sexual arousal, the clitoris becomes engorged with blood.
Understanding the full internal structure of the clitoris is a relatively recent advancement in anatomy.