mindmap root((阳刚)) masculine applies to qualities or attributes or attitudes characteristic of men and not shared by women: a ~ physique. male is broadly applicable to plants, animals and persons and stresses the fact of sex: a ~ tiger. manly suggests the qualities of the mature man, especially the finer qualities of a man or the powers and skills that come with maturity: wounded his ~ pride. manlike is more likely to suggest characteristically masculine faults and foibles: exhibited a thoroughly ~ disregard for details; but sometimes its reference is to human beings in general and then it suggests resemblance to the human kind: an early hominid, vaguely ~ in appearance. mannish is often used derogatorily in situations in which womanliness might naturally be expected or wanted: adopted an aggressively ~ stance; but in more neutral use, especially as applied to styles and dress, it carries little more than a suggestion of actual masculinity: dressed nattily in a ~ suit of tweed. manful stresses sturdiness and resolution: a ~ effort to achieve success. virile suggests the qualities of fully developed manhood but is at once stronger in emphasis and more specific in many of its applications than manly or masculine: a man of eighty yet still strong and ~; and in more general applications is likely to imply manful vigor: walked with a ~ stride.