mixed-sex
|mixed-sex|
/ˌmɪkstˈsɛks/
including both male and female
Etymology
'mixed-sex' originates from Modern English, formed as a compound of the past participle 'mixed' (from the verb 'mix', ultimately from Latin 'miscere') and 'sex' (from Latin 'sexus'), where 'mix-' meant 'to combine' and 'sexus' meant 'gender/biological sex'.
'mix' traces back to Latin 'miscere' → Old French 'mesler' → Middle English forms (e.g. 'mixen') → Modern English 'mix' and its past participle 'mixed'; 'sex' comes from Latin 'sexus' → Old French 'sex' → Middle English 'sex'. The compound 'mixed-sex' developed in Modern English (notably 19th–20th century) to describe institutions or groups containing both sexes.
Initially, 'mix' primarily meant 'to combine' and 'sex' referred to the biological categories; over time the compound 'mixed-sex' came to be used specifically to denote groups, institutions, or facilities that include or are intended for both males and females.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
consisting of or involving both males and females (used of groups, institutions, events, etc.).
The school became mixed-sex in 1975.
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Adjective 2
intended for or used by people of both sexes (e.g., facilities or teams).
They formed a mixed-sex team for the competition.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 20:29