definitions

gelding

[ gel-ding ]
/ ˈgɛl dɪŋ /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gelding ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a castrated male animal, especially a horse.
a eunuch.

RELATED WORDS

emasculate, neuter, fix, sterilize, spay, alter, unman, eunuchize

Nearby words

gelato, gelber, gelcap, geld, gelderland, gelding, geldof, gelechiid, gelibolu, gelid, gelignite

Origin of gelding

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Old Norse word geldingr. See geld1, -ing3

Definition for gelding (2 of 2)

geld

1
[ geld ]
/ gɛld /

verb (used with object), geld·ed or gelt, geld·ing.

to castrate (an animal, especially a horse).
to take strength, vitality, or power from; weaken or subdue.

Origin of geld

1
1250–1300; Middle English gelden < Old Norse gelda

Related forms

geld·er, nounun·geld·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gelding

British Dictionary definitions for gelding (1 of 3)

gelding

/ (ˈɡɛldɪŋ) /

noun

a castrated male horse

Word Origin for gelding

C14: from Old Norse geldingr; see geld 1, -ing 1

British Dictionary definitions for gelding (2 of 3)

geld

1
/ (ɡɛld) /

verb gelds, gelding, gelded or gelt (tr)

to castrate (a horse or other animal)
to deprive of virility or vitality; emasculate; weaken

Derived Forms

gelder, noun

Word Origin for geld

C13: from Old Norse gelda, from geldr barren

British Dictionary definitions for gelding (3 of 3)

geld

2
/ (ɡɛld) /

noun

a tax on land levied in late Anglo-Saxon and Norman England

Word Origin for geld

Old English gield service, tax; related to Old Norse gjald tribute, Old Frisian jeld, Old High German gelt retribution, income
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012