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