A Glossary of Terms (Patreon)

As a linguist, I feel like I would be remiss in not providing a means to understanding my diction--and actually feel bad that it has taken me this long to create such a listing. In other words, this is a great place to check out what I mean when I use a word you are not familiar with, however, these definitions are hardly encompassing and can be flawed. If you do not see a word here, or you feel my definition is off, please let me know.

• Altersex - A Sex which is likely only Speculative. Formed as a portmanteau of alternate--as in another possibility--and sex to serve as a catch all for characters whose Body Plans which are a mixture of sexual features. I adopted the term as an effort to make my  stories about sex and gender shifts less exclusionary to Transgender individuals.
• Altsy - A Gender Identity much like Man and Woman, but for Altersex individuals. A word I made up in emulation of Enby.
• Attraction - A sense of wanting to connect with others
• Assigned at Birth - The assumed Sexual Physiology of an infant based on visual inspection of genitals.
• Body Plan - The primary and secondary sexual characteristics of a person and also their Physique. Typically determined by Sex. 
• Cis(gender) - A Gender Identity generally congruent with the Sex someone was Assigned at Birth. Even so, this individual's Gender Expression might not strictly adhere to Social Gender conventions.
• Enby - Someone who has a Gender Identity of Non-Binary.
• Demisexual - Someone who feels Sexual attraction on a limited basis or in specific situations.
• Female - In most organisms, is the member of a species which produces ova sex cells.
• Feminine - Physical and Social traits generally associated with Female members of a species.
• Gender - the Behavioral, Cultural, or Physical traits typically associated with a Sex. A person identifies as a gender and has an expression of that identity. Explaining Feminism has a great article on the difference between Gender Identity and Gender Expression. 
• Gender Expression -   How a person Presents their appearance, mannerisms, and other personal traits regardless of their Gender Identity and Social expectations of that Gender. 
• Gender Identity - The Gender with which an individual identifies.   
• Interconnected - In relation to Polycules, this is me saying that all members of a Polyamorous group have Romantic relationships with each other
• Male -  In most organisms, is the member of a species which produces small mobile sex cells that typically fertilize larger ova.
• Man - A person with a generally Masculine Gender Identity
• Masculine - Physiological and Social traits associated with Male members of a species. 
• Non-Binary - A Gender Expression that is not strictly Masculine or Feminine, but instead functions as a composite of traits.
• Open - In relation to Polycules, this is me saying that not all members of a group are in Romantic relationships
• Physical - A person's actual being. Constructed from Physique and Physiology.
• Physique -  The structure of a person. Somewhat influenced by Physiology and Sex. In tags, "Physique Changes" mean alterations limited to a character's height, weight, fitness, and sex.
• Physiology -  In relation to Physique, is the internal workings of a person. Bodily functions, hormones, reflexes, and so forth. "Physiology Changes" refer to changes of species, libido, sensitivity, biological processes, or level of ascension
• Platonic - Attraction which is Intimate but non-Sexual
• Polyamorous - individual(s) who form Platonic, Romantic, or Sexual relationships with more than one partner at the same time. In healthy polyamory, partners are communicative about relationships.
• Polycule - A term used to describe Polyamorous relationships
• Psyche - Of a person's mental and emotional state. "Psyche Changes" typically convey changes in sexuality, differences of personality or identity, as well as alterations to intellect and being hypnotized.
• Reality - The world of the narrative. "Reality Changes" deal with characters' memories changing or the setting being altered.
• Romantic - Attraction which is intimate and usually Sexual. Typically associated with love.
• Sex - The anatomy of one's reproductive system and other elements which are consistently dimorphic within a species.
• Sexual - Attraction to another individual which focuses the libido. May not be romantic and is typically related to lust in that regard.
• Trans(gender) - A Gender Identity that typically disagrees with Sex Assigned at Birth. A person's Gender Expression 
• Woman -  A person with a generally Feminine Gender Identity