Definition of EUNUCH

eunuch

Meanings

Plural: eunuchs

Noun

  • a man who has been castrated and is incapable of reproduction
    • "eunuchs guarded the harem"
  • A castrated human male.
  • Such a man employed as harem guard or in certain (mainly Eastern) monarchies (e.g. late Roman and Chinese Empires) as court or state officials.
  • A man who is not inclined to marry and procreate.
  • One that is ineffectual.

Verb

  • To castrate
  • To render ineffectual.

Origin / Etymology

Etymology tree
Ancient Greek εὐνή (eunḗ)
Proto-Indo-European *seǵʰ-der.
Proto-Hellenic *hékʰō
Ancient Greek ἔχω (ékhō)
Ancient Greek εὐνοῦχος (eunoûkhos)bor.
Latin eunūchusder.
Middle English eunuk
English eunuch
From Middle English eunuk, from Middle French eunuque, from Latin eunūchus, from Ancient Greek εὐνοῦχος (eunoûkhos), from εὐνή (eunḗ, “bed”) + ἔχω (ékhō, “I have, keep”). Originally probably used to refer to a bed chamber attendant.

Synonyms

castrate, gelding

Scrabble Score: 11

eunuch is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
eunuch is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
eunuch is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

eunuch is a valid Words With Friends word