Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Picture: ANDREW MEARES
The Macquarie Dictionary is set to broaden the definition of the word "misogyny" in the wake of Prime Minister Julia Gillard's fiery speech on the subject.
The reference book's existing definition of misogyny is a pathological hatred of women.
Ms Gillard launched a scathing attack on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in Parliament last week, accusing him of sexism and misogyny.
Macquarie Dictionary editor Sue Butler said the definition will be changed to reflect what Ms Gillard really meant when she criticised Mr Abbott.
"We decided that we had the basic definition, hatred of women, but that's not how misogyny has been used for about the last 20, 30 years, particularly in feminist language," Ms Butler said today.
"Sexist does seem to be moving towards this description of surface features and misogynist applies to the underlying attitude."
The second definition will appear in the next edition of the dictionary.