What does "hemipenis" mean?

Each of a pair of intromittent organs of male snakes and lizards, usually held inverted within the body but everted for reproduction via erectile tissue.

What is a synonym for "hemipenis"?

Common synonyms include: hemipeen, hemipene.

How do you pronounce "hemipenis"?

Pronounced //ˈhɛ.mɪ.piː.nɪs//.

Hemipenis

//ˈhɛ.mɪ.piː.nɪs// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
Each of a pair of intromittent organs of male snakes and lizards, usually held inverted within the body but everted for reproduction via erectile tissue.
"Charles […] found her stroking the goanna in such a way – no one else could do it – that its pale hemipenes emerged pale and spiky from their sheaths."

Synonyms

All synonyms

hemipeen hemipene

Example

More examples

"Charles […] found her stroking the goanna in such a way – no one else could do it – that its pale hemipenes emerged pale and spiky from their sheaths."

Etymology

From hemi- + penis.

Related phrases

intromittent organ

More for "hemipenis"

Synonyms Sentences Pronunciation Translate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation Browse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.