castrate

/'kæstreit/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

  1. Verb:

    • To remove the testicles of a male animal or person: This is the primary and most common meaning, referring to the surgical removal of the male reproductive glands, rendering the individual incapable of reproduction.
    • To remove the ovaries of a female animal: While less common, "castrate" can also be used to mean spaying a female animal, though "spay" is the more precise term.
    • To weaken or deprive of force, vigor, or effectiveness: Used figuratively to describe the act of making something less powerful, potent, or complete, often by removing essential parts.

  2. Noun:

    • A male who has been castrated: A person or animal that has undergone castration.
Usage Examples
  • Verb (literal, male):
    • Farmers often castrate young bulls to make them more docile.
    • The ancient practice was to castrate certain servants to guard the royal household.
  • Verb (literal, female):
    • The veterinarian will castrate the dog to prevent unwanted litters. (Note: "spay" is more typical here).
  • Verb (figurative):
    • The studio's heavy editing managed to castrate the film of all its original impact.
    • Critics argued that the compromise would castrate the proposed legislation.
  • Noun:
    • In some historical courts, a castrate might hold a position of trust.
Advanced Usage
  • "To castrate a text": To censor or bowdlerize a piece of writing by removing parts considered offensive or improper, thereby weakening its original message or artistic integrity.
    • The publisher demanded they castrate the novel's most controversial chapters.
Variants and Related Words
  • Castration (n): The act or process of castrating.
    • The castration of the animal is a routine procedure.
  • Castrato (n, historical): A male singer who was castrated before puberty to retain a high singing voice.
  • Emasculate (v): A close synonym, especially for the figurative meaning of depriving of strength or vigor. It can also refer to castration but is more commonly used metaphorically.
  • Neuter (v): A more general term for removing the reproductive organs of an animal, applicable to both sexes.
  • Spay (v): Specifically to remove the ovaries of a female animal.
  • Geld (v): Specifically to castrate a male animal, especially a horse.
Synonyms
  • Neuter (for animals)
  • Geld (for male animals)
  • Alter (common veterinary term)
  • Emasculate (often figurative)
  • Bowdlerize (for texts)
  • Expurgate (for texts)
Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Castrate" is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The action is generally expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms centered on the word "castrate" itself. The figurative use often appears in formal or critical contexts.)

Noun
  1. a man who has been castrated and is incapable of reproduction
    • eunuchs guarded the harem
Verb
  1. remove the ovaries of
    • Is your cat spayed?
  2. remove the testicles of a male animal
  3. edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
    • bowdlerize a novel
  4. deprive of strength or vigor
    • The Senate emasculated the law

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