Pudendum

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: pyo͝odÄ•nʹdÉ™m, IPA: /pjʊˈdÉ›ndÉ™m/, /pjuːˈdÉ›ndÉ™m/
• RP enPR: pyoÍžodÄ•nʹdÉ™m, IPA: /pjuˈdÉ›ndÉ™m/

Origin

From Latin pudenda ("that where of one ought to feel shame"), substantive use of the neuter plural gerundive of pudet ("it shames"); in Latin the usage in the plural form (to mean external genitalia), was far more common than the singular form, as is also the case in English.

Full definition of pudendum

Noun

1. (usually in the plural) An external genital organ in a human; especially a woman’s vulva.
2. (figuratively) A shameful part of something.

Usage notes

This term appears far more frequently in the plural — as pudenda — than in the singular, analogously with genitalia, which is rarely encountered in its obscure singular form genitale, and with genitals, a plurale tantum whose supposed singular form genital is an adjective in English.

Derived terms