verb

emasculate

ih-MAS-kyuh-layt/ɪˈmæskjuleɪt/

To remove male reproductive organs.

The veterinarian emasculates the young bull to prevent unwanted breeding.

Adult male team leader looks diminished as another official takes away his keys and decision-making folder, loss of authority and confidence, nonsexual and no text.

Etymology

eLatinout, away

+masculLatinmale, manly

+ateLatinpast-participle ending

“Away” plus “male” gives the idea of removing male sexual power. English has chiefly used this figuratively for taking away strength or qualities perceived as masculine.

In context

TEDx Talks13:14

If you are the breadwinner in your relationship with a man, you have to pretend that you're not, especially in public, otherwise you will emasculate him.

We should all be feminists | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | TEDxEuston

More examples

An emasculated stallion is called a gelding.
The farmer hires a veterinarian to emasculate the young goats.
Emasculating a ram prevents it from fathering lambs.

Forms

emasculate · emasculates · emasculated · emasculating

emasculation noun — Removal of a male's reproductive organs.

Similar words

castrate: More commonly used for removing a male's testicles.
neuter: Can describe removing reproductive organs from either sex.
geld: Usually refers specifically to castrating a male horse.