asexualisation
|a-sex-u-al-i-sa-tion|
🇺🇸
/eɪˌsɛkʃuəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/eɪˌsɛkʃuəlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
removal or absence of sexual characteristics
Etymology
'asexualisation' originates from Modern English as a compound formed from the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'not') plus 'sexualisation' (the noun-forming derivative of 'sexual'). The element 'sexual' ultimately comes from Latin 'sexus' meaning 'sex'.
'sexual' derives from Latin 'sexus' through Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'sexualis' into English as 'sexual'; from this English base came the verb 'sexualize' and the noun-forming suffix '-isation' produced 'sexualisation', to which the prefix 'a-' was attached to form 'asexualisation'.
Originally built from elements meaning 'not' + 'sexual' (i.e., 'not sexual'), the composite came to be used specifically for the process or result of removing or suppressing sexual characteristics or sexual function; in modern usage it denotes that process or state.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or act of making something or someone asexual; removal, loss, or suppression of sexual characteristics, sexual identity, or sexual function; rendering non-sexual.
Critics argued that the asexualisation of the characters in the adaptation erased important aspects of their identities.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/27 19:52