Eunuch

Pronunciation

• Syllables: eu·nuch
• IPA: /ˈjuː.nÊŒk/
• enPR: yoÍžoʹnÅ­k

Origin

From Middle French eunuque, from Latin eunuchus, from Ancient Greek εὐνοῦχος, from εὐνή (eunē, "bed") + ἔχω (ekhō, "I have, keep"). Originally probably used to refer to a bed chamber attendant.

Full definition of eunuch

Noun

1. A castrated human male.
• 1922, w, “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days Chapter 2/1/2, Semiramis was the first woman to invent eunuchs and women have had sympathy for them ever since; ... and women can tell them what they can't tell other men.
2. 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.
3. (in translations of ancient texts) A man who is not inclined to marry and procreate.

Derived terms

• eunuchism
• eunuchry