castration

[kas-trey-shuhn]

noun

1. the removal of the testes.

2. the removal of the ovaries.

3. Psychology.,  the rendering or condition of impotency, literally or metaphorically, as a result of psychological means, especially the willful threat to a person's masculinity or femininity.

4. the deprivation of strength, power, or efficiency.

   the castration of our morale by a ruthless leader.

Word History and Origins

Origin of castration¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Old French or Latin castrātiōn- stem of castrātiō “emasculation”; castrat(e) ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

But voters and analysts told AFP it was more a fear of losing rights to a president who has proposed chemical castration for rapists and intelligence operations that require no warrants.

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Research on the impact of chemical castration - while limited - has shown considerable reductions in reoffending rates.

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The government also confirmed it would expand a pilot scheme offering chemical castration to some prisoners, with a view to making it nationwide and potentially mandatory.

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Zambia's Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu has called for the castration of child rapists as an extreme measure to deter perpetrators and protect children from abuse.

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I know that the side effects of hormone treatment, horrifyingly referred to as “chemical castration,” can be permanent.

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Related Words

• sterilization