to castrate
7
8.8
- verb
- /ˈkæstreɪt/
- Informal
:
debilitar
- The kind of modern genes that improve socialization are being castrated in the ghetto/projects.
- symbolically castrate
He's so jealous of that dude Keem Keem Starr would Keem Starr would castrate himself for a chance to be with you.
- He's so jealous of that dude Keem Keem Starr would Keem Starr would castrate himself for a chance to be with you.
- And you especially see it in leadership and you see these men that have literally been castrated by Trump.
Examples
-
Then telling the press, among other things, that all of us are castrated.
-
And you especially see it in leadership and you see these men that have literally been castrated by Trump.
-
Citizens United and the castrated news media are something that might take a generation to overcome.
Blog text (2) -
The people have given too much away, and the power of taxation has basically castrated us.
Blog text (10) -
I wouldn't be afraid; the general public is mentally castrated and totally incapable of standing up for their rights.
Blog text (24) -
Once upon a time, my dear Milo, there was an Englishman called Andrew Wyke, who, in common with most of his countrymen, was virtually castrated by taxation.
-
The new regulations have castrated the industry, making it difficult for companies to innovate.
-
Some argue that constant censorship has castrated the spirit of free speech.
-
Many believe that excessive regulations can castrate creativity in the arts.
Synonyms
20
7.7
To make a person, animal, or thing weak and less able to work
10
8.8
To make something weaker or less effective
10
9.1
To take away an important part so something loses its power
1
9.8
Make someone or something lose energy and stop working well
1
9.9
To make something weak by taking away what it needs
1
8.2
To make someone very weak and unable to fight back
To make a place or group less lively and energetic
Antonyms
How Powerful
∞
1.0
- US
266
5.3
- Informal
7
8.8
72
6.3
305
2.8
270
6.8
50
3.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
castrate = castr + ate
The figurative sense 'render powerless' is an extension of the literal surgical meaning and so is partially inferable if the literal sense is known, but the morphological parts themselves are not transparent to learners.
Etymology
Castrate used figuratively is easiest to remember as 'cutting off' power: the root castr- means 'to cut' or 'remove', so to castrate an idea or group is to make it weak or powerless.