mannish

Mannish, a.

Etymology: [Man + -ish: cf. AS. mennisc, menisc.]

1. Resembling a human being in form or nature; human. Chaucer. But yet it was a figure Most like to mannish creature. Gower.

2. Resembling, suitable to, or characteristic of, a man, manlike, masculine. Chaucer. A woman impudent and mannish grown. Shak.

3. Fond of men; -- said of a woman. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Man"nish*ly,adv. -- Man"nish*ness, n.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for mannish; he lists it under masculine.

Where he writes about it:

Mannish is a depreciatory word referring to the mimicry or parade of some superficial qualities of manhood; as, a mannish boy or woman. — from masculine

Synonyms

masculine male manful manlike manly virile

Antonyms

feminine

etymology Webster’s online