spay

/spei/

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Word: Spay

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To "spay" means to surgically remove the ovaries of a female animal, usually a cat or a dog. This is a common procedure done to prevent the animal from having puppies or kittens.

Usage Instructions:

• You typically use "spay" when talking about pets, especially when discussing their health or breeding.
• It is often discussed in the context of responsible pet ownership.

Example Sentence:

• "We decided to spay our cat to prevent her from having kittens."

Advanced Usage:

• The term is often used in veterinary contexts, and people may discuss the benefits of spaying, such as reducing the risk of certain health problems and controlling the pet population.

Word Variants:

• Spaying (noun): The procedure of spaying.
• Spayed (adjective): Describing an animal that has already undergone the procedure. For example, "My cat is spayed."

Different Meanings:

• "Spay" primarily refers to the surgical procedure on animals. There are no common alternative meanings for this word in English.

Synonyms:

• Neuter (though this term is often used for male animals, it can sometimes refer to spaying in general discussions about pet sterilization).
• Sterilize (more general; can refer to both male and female animals).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "spay," as it is mainly used in a straightforward context related to animal care.

Summary:

To "spay" is an important term in animal care, referring specifically to a surgical procedure that helps control the pet population and can have health benefits for female animals.

Academic

Verb

1. remove the ovaries of
   • Is your cat spayed?

Synonyms

• alter
• neuter
• castrate