noun
eunuch
YOO-nuhk
noun
1
A man who has been castrated, historically often so he could serve as a guard or official in a royal household.
"Eunuchs held powerful positions in the courts of several ancient empires."
2
Figuratively, someone or something seen as powerless or ineffective.
"Without real authority, the committee was little more than a political eunuch."
How to Use Eunuch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA castrated man, historically employed in royal or noble households; also used figuratively for something powerless.
Word Forms
eunuched past tense, eunuchs plural, eunuchs singular
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_____ held powerful positions in the courts of several ancient empires.
Etymology
From Latin eunūchus, from Ancient Greek eunoûkhos, literally \"bed-keeper\" (from eunḗ, \"bed\" + ékhō, \"to have, keep\") — originally referring to a trusted attendant of the royal bedchamber.