Castrato

Pronunciation

• enPR: kăs·träʹtō, IPA: /kæsˈtrɑː.təʊ/
• Syllables: cas·tra·to

Origin

From Italian castrato, from Latin castrō ("to castrate"), likely from caedō ("to cut").

Full definition of castrato

Noun

1. A male who has been castrated, especially a male whose testicles have been removed before puberty in order to retain his boyish voice.
2. A male soprano or alto voice produced by castration of the treble singer before puberty, intended to conserve his voice; the singer.

Adjective

1. (literally) Castrated; especially castrated prepubescently.
2. Having, using or containing the voice of a castrato (noun).
3. Originally composed for a castrato.Nowadays, either women or countertenors take the castrato roles.

Related terms

• castrate
• castratism