TRANSVESTITE
transvestic, transvestite
(adjective) receiving sexual gratification from wearing clothing of the opposite sex
transvestite, cross-dresser
(noun) someone who adopts the dress or manner or sexual role of the opposite sex
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
transvestite (plural transvestites)
A person who sometimes wears clothes traditionally worn by and associated with the opposite sex; typically a male who cross-dresses occasionally by habit or personal choice.
(clinical psychology, psychiatry, pathology) A person, typically a heterosexual male, who compulsively seeks and derives paraphilic sexual arousal from cross-dressing, especially if the urges and behavior cause the patient distress or social impairment.
Usage notes
• This term is relatively formal (Latinate); cross-dresser is more casual, but whereas the verb cross-dress is common, the verb transvest is quite rare.
• Transvestite should not be confused with transgender (see that term for more); transvestites are often happy with their gender and have no desire to change their sex, but simply enjoy being able to cross-dress from time to time. When speaking of to or about an individual who identifies as transgender, the term transvestite is typically seen as derogatory.
• The term should also not be confused with drag queen (“person who performs femininity”) or drag king (“person who performs masculinity”); those terms are specifically for performers.
• The clinical definition is far more restrictive than the colloquial usage of the term, drawing a sharp distinction between a transvestite versus those who engage in other types of cross-dressing not associated with sexual arousal—such as a drag queen who cross-dresses to perform a role for entertainment purposes.
Synonyms
• cross-dresser
• (pejorative) tranny
• TV
• see also transvestite
Source: Wiktionary