gelding

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

noun

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

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of gelding

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

Words nearby gelding

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

Definition for gelding (2 of 2)

geld1
[ 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

OTHER WORDS FROM geld

geld·er, nounun·geld·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to gelding

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

Example sentences 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)

geld1
/ (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 of geld

gelder, noun

Word Origin for geld

C13: from Old Norse gelda, from geldr barren

British Dictionary definitions for gelding (3 of 3)

geld2
/ (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