transsexual

[ trans-sek-shoo-uh l or, esp. British, -seks-yoo- ]
/ trænsˈsɛk ʃu əl or, esp. British, -ˈsɛks yu- /

noun

a person having a strong desire to assume the physical characteristics and gender role of the opposite sex.
a person who has undergone hormone treatment and surgery to attain the physical characteristics of the opposite sex.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of transsexuals.
Compare cissexual.

Origin of transsexual

1955–60; trans- + sexual, orig. in transsexualism (coined in 1953)

usage note for transsexual

See transgender.

OTHER WORDS FROM transsexual

trans·sex·u·al·ism, trans·sex·u·al·i·ty, noun

Words nearby transsexual

transputer, transpyloric plane, transracial, transrectification, transrectifier, transsexual, transsexualism, transship, transsonic, transsynaptic degeneration, transthoracic

British Dictionary definitions for transsexualism (1 of 2)

transsexualism

transexualism

/ (trænzˈsɛksjʊəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

a strong desire to change sex

British Dictionary definitions for transsexualism (2 of 2)

transsexual

transexual

/ (trænzˈsɛksjʊəl) /

noun

a person who permanently acts the part of and completely identifies with the opposite sex
a person who has undergone medical and surgical procedures to alter external sexual characteristics to those of the opposite sex

Medical definitions for transsexualism (1 of 2)

transsexualism
[ trăns-sĕk′shōō-ə-lĭz′əm ]

n.

The state of being a transsexual.
The desire to change one's anatomic sexual characteristics to conform physically with one's perception of self as a member of the opposite sex.

Medical definitions for transsexualism (2 of 2)

transsexual
[ trăns-sĕk′shōō-əl ]

n.

A person who strongly identifies with the opposite gender and who chooses to live as a member of the opposite gender or to become one by surgery.

adj.

Of or relating to such a person.
Relating to medical and surgical procedures designed to alter a person's external sexual characteristics so they resemble those of the opposite gender.