Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SEX'U-AL, a. [from sex.]

1. Pertaining to sex or the sexes; distinguishing the sex; denoting what is peculiar to the distinction and office of male and female; as, sexual characteristics; sexual intercourse, connection or commerce.
2. Sexual method, in botany, the method which is founded on the distinction of sexes in plants, as male and female, each sex being furnished with appropriate organs or parts; the male producing a pollen or dust which fecundates the stigma of the pistil or female organ, and is necessary to render it prolific. It is found that most plants are hermaphrodite, the male and female organs being contained in the same flower. This doctrine was taught to a certain extent, by Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny among the ancients, but has been more fully illustrated by Cæsalpinus, Grew, Camerarius, Linnæus and many others among the moderns. Milne. Encyc.