How Do You Spell CISWOMAN?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪswʊmən] (IPA)

The word "ciswoman" is spelled with the prefix "cis-", which means "on this side of" or "not across" in Latin. The word is pronounced /sɪsˈwʊmən/, with the first syllable rhyming with "miss" and the second syllable pronounced like "woman". It refers to a woman who identifies with the gender assigned to her at birth. The term is used to distinguish cisgender women from transgender women, who identify as female but were assigned male at birth.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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CISWOMAN Meaning and Definition

  1. A ciswoman refers to an individual who identifies as a woman and whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. The term "cis" is derived from the Latin prefix, meaning "on the same side as," and acts as an antonym to "trans," which indicates a person whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. In this case, a ciswoman is someone who was assigned female at birth, based on physical characteristics such as reproductive organs, and psychologically identifies as a woman.

    Ciswomen generally experience a congruence between their gender identity and the cultural and societal expectations associated with being a woman. They may identify with female gender roles and may feel comfortable with their assigned female body. However, it is important to note that ciswomen encompass a wide range of experiences and identities, as gender expression and experience are complex and vary among individuals.

    The term ciswoman is used within the context of creating space for discussions on gender diversity, to acknowledge that not all women are transgender. It is employed alongside the term "transwoman," which refers to an individual who was assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a woman. By using these terms, society aims to recognize, respect, and affirm the diversity of gender identities and to promote inclusivity and understanding.

Etymology of CISWOMAN

The word "ciswoman" is formed by combining the Latin prefix "cis-" with the word "woman".

The Latin prefix "cis-" means "on this side of" or "on the same side as". It is the opposite of the prefix "trans-", which means "across" or "on the other side of". These prefixes are commonly used in chemistry to differentiate between different types of molecules.

In the context of gender identity, the term "cisgender" was first introduced by German sexologist Volkmar Sigusch in the late 1990s. It was intended to provide a contrast to the term "transgender", which refers to individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

"Ciswoman" or "cisgender woman" specifically refers to a person who identifies as a woman and also aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.