asexualised
|a-sex-u-al-ised|
/ˌeɪˈsɛkʃəlaɪz/
(asexualise)
make without sexual traits
Etymology
'asexualise' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'not' or 'without') + the adjective 'sexual' and the verb-forming suffix '-ise' (British spelling).
'asexualise' developed from the adjective 'asexual' (from post-classical Latin 'asexualis' formed with 'a-' + Latin 'sexus' 'sex'), combined with the verb suffix '-ise' (from French/Latin/Greek model) to create a verb meaning 'to make asexual'; the modern English verb then produced the past form 'asexualised'.
Initially, compounds with the prefix 'a-' plus biological terms meant 'without [X]' (e.g., 'asexual' = 'without sexual reproduction'); over time the verb form came to be used for actively making something non-sexual or removing sexual characteristics, including broader social uses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'asexualise' (to make asexual or to remove sexual characteristics or functions).
The lab asexualised several plants to study reproduction without sexual processes.
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Adjective 1
made asexual; deprived of sexual characteristics, functions, or sexual reproduction (used of organisms, tissues, or contexts).
The mutants were asexualised and propagated only by cloning techniques.
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Adjective 2
in social or identity contexts, described or treated as lacking sexual characteristics or sexual attraction (relating to asexuality as an attribute or label).
Some critics argued that the campaign asexualised queer characters for broader appeal.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 20:20