[See next and -ENCE.] The condition of becoming virile, spec. of assuming physical characteristics of the male.
1836–9. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., II. 716/2. The change to virilescence in the former [sc. birds] being more marked and striking than in the latter [sc. mammalia].
1853. Dunglison, Med. Lex., 908. Virilescence,… the state of the aged female in which she assumes certain of the characteristics of the male.—Mebliss.
1912. A. Harrison in Eng. Rev., Feb., 493. The virilescence of women would seem to imply the emasculation of men.
