gentle sex

English

Alternative forms

• gentler sex

Noun

the gentle sex

1. (idiomatic, dated, now sometimes offensive) Women generally.

   Synonym: fair sex

   Antonyms: stern sex, sterner sex

   • 1830, William Carpenter, Anecdotes of the French revolution, of 1830, page 49:

     A patriotic virago, armed with a brace of pistols, enacted prodigies; and a young man, who distinguished himself in a remarkable manner, has since proved to be of the gentle sex.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see gentle,‎ sex.