castrate

play

verb cas·trate \ ˈkas-ˌtrāt \

Definition of castrate

castrated; castrating

transitive verb

1 :to render impotent or deprive of vitality especially by psychological means

The bill was castrated by removal of the enforcement provisions.

2 a :to deprive of the testes :geld

b :to deprive of the ovaries (see ovary 1) :spay

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castrate

noun

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castration

play \kas-ˈtrā-shən\ noun

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castrator

play \-ˌtrā-tər\ noun

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castratory

play \ˈkas-trə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See castrate defined for English-language learners

See castrate defined for kids

Examples of castrate in a Sentence

Farmers castrated the bull calf.
a movie version that castrates the hard-hitting novel

Recent Examples of castrate from the Web

Yoshikawa also has to have enough castrated bulls with the right temperament to handle a harness, all between 3 and 7 years old — the ideal age, according to Yoshikawa.

— kelsey lindsey, Alaska Dispatch News, "Scientist looks to be ‘Japanese Santa,’ mushing reindeer across tundra," 28 Aug. 2017
Alan Turing, the pioneering British computer scientist, was chemically castrated by his government for being gay in 1952.

— clio chang, New Republic, "Evil tech bro James Damore says being conservative is like being “gay in the 1950s.”," 18 Aug. 2017
The secretaries of Defense and State, Jim Mattis and Rex Tillerson, often considered the adults in the cabinet, are now castrated, serving as at best bystanders to major policy decisions.

— frank rich, Daily Intelligencer, "Everything Trump Does Must Be Viewed Through This Single Lens," 27 July 2017
As the description of the warrior class goes: The eunuchs are fully castrated, with their penis and testicles cut, and their manhoods are burned at the altar of the Lady of Spears.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Game of Thrones Just Had One of The Craziest Sex Scenes in TV History," 23 July 2017
However, because Grey Worm is Unsullied — meaning he was castrated as an infant — some wondered if the pair would ever act on their feelings.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "One of Your Favorite Game of Thrones Couples Finally Had Their Big Moment," 23 July 2017
The huge hog Seago shot had no markings, ear tags or branding of any kind and had not been castrated.

— joe songer, AL.com, "Woman says 820-pound hog killed by Wade Seago may have escaped their pen," 21 July 2017
In 2004 a young man used a meat cleaver to castrate and kill his father there.

— jon ronson, GQ, "San Francisco Is Burning," 22 June 2017
And, of course, there is Robert Potter, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, and in 1831 took out his knife and castrated two men believed to have been involved in an affair with his wife.

— james c. moore, CNN, "America, don't be like Texas," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'castrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of castrate

Latin castratus, past participle of castrare; akin to Greek keazein to split, Sanskrit śasati he slaughters

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First Known Use: 1554

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castrate Synonyms

Synonyms

dehydrate, damp, dampen, deaden, desiccate, devitalize, enervate, geld, lobotomize, petrify

Antonyms

brace, energize, enliven, invigorate, quicken, stimulate, vitalize, vivify

Related Words

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enfeeble, exhaust, fatigue, sap, tucker (out), undermine, weaken, wear, wear out; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

Near Antonyms

arouse, rouse, stir; charge, electrify, galvanize; excite, ferment, fire, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, spark, trigger, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, inspire, lift; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, reenergize, refresh, regenerate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive

CASTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

castrate

play

verb

Definition of castrate for English Language Learners

: to remove the testes of (a person or animal)

CASTRATE Defined for Kids

castrate

play

verb cas·trate \ ˈka-ˌstrāt \

Definition of castrate for Students

castrated; castrating

:to remove the sex glands of

Medical Dictionary

castrate

play

transitive verb cas·trate \ ˈkas-ˌtrāt \

medical Definition of castrate

castrated; castrating

1 a :to deprive of the testes :geld

b :to deprive of the ovaries :spay

2 :to render impotent or deprive of vitality especially by psychological means

uses these ideas…as an instrument to castrate and destroy him
—Harold Clurman

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castrater

or castrator play \-ər\ noun

castrate

noun

medical Definition of castrate

:a castrated individual

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See words that rhyme with castrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for castrate Spanish Central: Translation of castrate Nglish: Translation of castrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of castrate for Arabic speakers

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CASTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

castrate

Definition of castrate for English Language Learners

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castrate

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Medical Dictionary

castrate

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castrater

castrate

medical Definition of castrate

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