eunuch

noun

eu·​nuch ˈyü-nək 

-nik

1

: a castrated man placed in charge of a harem or employed as a chamberlain in a palace

2

: a man or boy deprived of the testes or external genitals

3

: one that lacks virility or power

political eunuchs

eunuchism

ˈyü-nə-ˌki-zəm 

-ni-

noun

Examples of eunuch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Health Voluntary eunuchs: Why do some men choose castration? —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Jinshi is actually the emperor’s younger brother and is merely using being a eunuch as cover. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 31 May 2024

Jinshi is presented as one of the court’s many eunuchs who surprisingly handles very important business that keeps the royal palace functioning smoothly. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 31 May 2024

Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew that some men are born eunuchs. —Ruth Graham, New York Times, 17 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eunuk, from Latin eunuchus, from Greek eunouchos, from eunē bed + echein to have, have charge of — more at scheme entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

eunuch

noun

eu·​nuch ˈyü-nək, -nik 

: a man or boy deprived of the testes or external genitals

eunuchism

-ˌiz-əm 

noun