1. the fundamental distinction, found in most species of animals and plants, based on the type of gametes produced by the individual; also the category to which the individual fits on the basis of that criterion. Called also gender. See also gender identity and gender role.
Underground Railroad. For black slaves in America, the road to freedom was a long and difficult one. The Underground Railroad was, of course, not a railroad at all. It was simply a network of Americans, both black and white, dedicated to destroying the institution of slavery by helping individual slaves escape to freedom.
The Underground Railroad operated at night. Slaves were moved from station to station by abolitionists. These stations were usually homes and churches â any safe place to rest and eat before continuing on the journey to freedom, as faraway as Canada.