Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To remove the claws from (an animal, especially a cat). This is a surgical procedure, typically performed on domestic cats to prevent them from scratching people or furniture.

Usage

The verb declaw is used to describe the specific action of surgically removing an animal's claws. It is almost exclusively used in the context of domestic pets, particularly cats. The procedure is controversial, and many animal welfare organizations oppose it.

Examples

• The veterinarian advised against the decision to declaw the kitten.
• Some countries have made it illegal to declaw cats.
• They chose to declaw their cat to protect their new sofa.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe rendering a person, organization, or thing harmless or powerless by removing its primary means of attack or defense.
  • The new regulations effectively declawed the powerful lobbying group.

Variants and Related Words

• Declawing (gerund/noun): The act or process of removing claws.
  • Declawing is a major surgery that involves amputating the last bone of each toe.

Synonyms

• Onychectomy (n.): The formal medical term for the surgical declawing procedure.
• Disarm (v.): In its metaphorical sense, "declaw" is similar to "disarm," meaning to deprive of the means of attack.

Antonyms

• Retain claws
• Arm (v.): In the metaphorical sense.

Verb

1. remove the claws from
   • declaw a cat