29 September 2014

emasculate

[v. ih-mas-kyuh-leyt; adj. ih-mas-kyuh-lit, -leyt]

verb (used with object), emasculated, emasculating.
1. to castrate.
2. to deprive of strength or vigor; weaken.
Synonyms: debilitate, undermine, devitalize, soften.
adjective
3. deprived of or lacking strength or vigor; effeminate.

Origin
Latin
1600-1610; < Latin ēmasculātus (past participle of ēmasculāre), equivalent to ē- e-1 + māscul(us) male + -ātus -ate1

Related forms
emasculation, noun
emasculative, adjective
emasculator, noun
emasculatory [ih-mas-kyuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
self-emasculation, noun
unemasculated, adjective
unemasculative, adjective
unemasculatory, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for emasculate
– Atrazine in the water has been shown to chemically emasculate frogs, turning healthy males into hermaphrodites.
– The government would probably not have had to emasculate its new measures with clumsy compromises.
– Now television is poised to absorb and emasculate the movies, all in the name of home entertainment.

Anagram

casual meet
team clause
amulet case

Today’s aphorism

Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today.

– Lucius Annaeus Seneca, 5AD – 65AD

On this day

29 September 1997 – death of Roy Lichtenstein, American pop artist.

29 September – World Heart Day.