virilization
(vɪrɪlɪˈzeɪʃən)
[f. virile a. + -ization.]
The pathological development of male sexual characteristics, esp. in a female. Also ˈvirilized ppl. a., exhibiting virilization; ˈvirilizing ppl. a., causing virilization.
| 1951 L. J. Soffer Dis. Endocrine Glands xxi. 689 The virilizing syndrome is an affliction essentially of females and preadolescent males. Ibid. 699 The Leydig cell tumours produce pseudosexual precocity in the male and virilization in the female. 1964 Steroids IV. 140 A virilized woman..with Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma, had 390µg/day of testosterone in her urine. 1974 Passmore & Robson Compan. Med. Stud. III. xxviii. 50/1 This virilizing ovarian tumour..occurs in young adults. 1976 Lancet 13 Nov. 1081/1 This hormone stopped her menses and produced all the features of virilisation. 1983 Oxf. Textbk. Med. I. x. 85/2 Excessive hair growth is among the commoner endocrine afflictions of women. The complaint may exist in isolation or it may be one of a constellation of abnormalities found in the virilized state. |