penis
UK[ˈpiːnɪs]US[ˈpiːnɪs]
n
The male organ used for urination and sexual intercourse.
Etymology
The word 'penis' is a direct borrowing from Latin, where it carried the same primary anatomical meaning. The Latin term is thought to derive from an earlier Indo-European root with a sense of "tail" or "appendage," highlighting the descriptive nature of the original term. This etymological path illustrates a common linguistic pattern where a basic, descriptive word for a physical part is adopted directly into scientific and common vocabulary. Over time, the Latin term supplanted older English words, becoming the standard, formal designation in the language.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Latin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
The biology textbook included a detailed diagram of the male reproductive system, including the penis.
Certain medical conditions can affect the function and health of the penis.
In many mammalian species, the penis contains a bone called the baculum.