masculine

Refers to traits, aesthetics, or behaviors traditionally attributed to men. It often carries a connotation of strength, robustness, or assertiveness. In modern usage, it is frequently contrasted with "feminine" to describe gender expression regardless of the person's biological sex. Depending on context, it can be descriptive and neutral (e.g., describing a voice) or prescriptive (e.g., referring to societal expectations of manliness). It differs from "manly," which often implies a more rugged, traditionalist, or moralized version of masculinity. In a linguistic context, the term is purely technical and devoid of social connotation, referring specifically to the grammatical category used for classification in languages like French, Spanish, or German.