testis
[ tes-tis ]
/ ˈtɛs tɪs /
noun, plural tes·tes [tes-teez] /ˈtɛs tiz/. Anatomy, Zoology.
the male gonad or reproductive gland, either of two oval glands located in the scrotum.
Origin of testis
1675–85; < Latin: “witness, spectator, testicle.” The sense “male gonad” is a loan translation from Greek
parastátēs “bystander, supporter (at law),” in medical usage (in the dual and plural) “the (pair of) glands lying side by side, the testicles” (equivalent to
para-
para-1 + the combining form
-statēs, from
histánai “to make stand.”) Compare Greek
prostátēs “one who stands in front, ruler,” in medical usage “the gland lying in front, the
prostate”
Words nearby testis
Example sentences from the Web for testis
British Dictionary definitions for testis
Word Origin for testis
C17: from Latin, literally: witness (to masculinity)
Medical definitions for testis
testis
[ tĕs′tĭs ]
n. pl. tes•tes (-tēz)
The male reproductive gland, the source of spermatozoa and the androgens, normally occurring paired in an external scrotum.
didymus orchis
Scientific definitions for testis
testis
[ tĕs′tĭs ]
Plural testes (tĕs′tēz)
The primary reproductive organ of male animals, in which sperm and the male sex hormones (androgens) are produced. In most vertebrates, the testes are contained inside the body. In many mammals, however, the testes are enclosed in an external scrotum.