eunuch

Meaning

Noun

• 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.

Related

Similar words

• gelding

Origin

• From Middle English eunuk, from Middle French eunuque, from Latin eunūchus, from Ancient Greek εὐνοῦχος, from εὐνή + ἔχω. Originally probably used to refer to a bed chamber attendant.