Mas"cu*line (măs"k&usl;*l&ibreve;n), a. [L. masculinus, fr. masculus male, manly, dim. of mas a male: cf. F. masculin. See Male masculine.] 1. Of the male sex; not female.

Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy sons.

2. Having the qualities of a man; suitable to, or characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or effeminate; strong; robust.

That lady, after her husband's death, held the reins with a masculine energy.

3. Belonging to males; appropriated to, or used by, males. [R.] "A masculine church." Fuller.

4. (Gram.) Having the inflections of, or construed with, words pertaining especially to male beings, as distinguished from feminine and neuter. See Gender. -- Mas"cu*line*ly, adv. -- Mas"cu*line*ness, n.

• Of the male sex; not female.
       Quotations
       *Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy sons — Chaucer
  
• Having the qualities of a man; suitable to, or characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or effeminate; strong; robust.
       Quotations
       *That lady, after her husband's death, held the reins with a masculine energy — Hallam
  
• (Rare): Belonging to males; appropriated to, or used by, males.
       Quotations
       *A masculine church — Fuller
  
• (Grammar): Having the inflections of, or construed with, words pertaining especially to male beings, as distinguished from feminine and neuter. See gender.