phallic

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree English phallus Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English phallic From phallus (“penis”) + -ic.

1. Relating to, or characteristic of the penis.

   “A little later the phallic explanation of everything came into fashion. The deities were all polite names for the organs and powers of procreation.”

   “The natural rhythm of the male is a phallic one of rise and fall, whether it involves towers, stock markets, or whole civilizations.”

2. Shaped like an erect human penis.

   “My mother has a very phallic salt shaker.”

   “For many first-time visitors, a common initial impression of the Washington Monument is that it is incredibly phallic.”

3. Relating to or exhibiting masculine or patriarchal traits, seen metaphorically as seated in the male genitalia.

   “Opposing the war in El Salvador and opposing the phallic aggression everywhere.”