What does eunuch mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈjuːnək/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A man who has been castrated or neutered, especially in a historical or cultural context. In modern usage, the term can also refer to a man who is perceived as being emasculated or lacking in masculinity.

Examples

• In ancient China, eunuchs were often employed as servants in the imperial court.
• The term “eunuch” is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a man who is seen as being overly submissive or lacking in assertiveness.

Synonyms

• Castrato
• Neuter

Antonyms

• Virile
• Masculine

Additional Information

The term “eunuch” has a long and complex history, dating back to ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In these cultures, eunuchs were often employed as servants, advisors, or even rulers due to their perceived loyalty and lack of familial obligations. However, the term has also been used pejoratively to describe men who are seen as being emasculated or lacking in masculinity. In modern usage, the term is often used metaphorically to describe a man who is perceived as being overly submissive or lacking in assertiveness.

Despite its complex and often negative connotations, the term “eunuch” remains an important part of our cultural and historical heritage. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often fraught nature of masculinity and the ways in which societal expectations can shape our understanding of gender and identity.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, the term “eunuch” has also been used in a variety of idiomatic expressions and phrases. For example, the phrase “eunuch’s revenge” refers to a situation in which a person who has been wronged or oppressed seeks revenge or retribution. Similarly, the phrase “eunuch’s dilemma” refers to a situation in which a person is faced with a difficult or impossible choice.

Etymology

The term “eunuch” comes from the Greek word “εὐνοῦχος” (eunoukhos), which means “guardian of the bed” or “keeper of the bedchamber”. This term was used to describe the servants who attended to the personal needs of the emperor or other high-ranking officials in ancient Greece and Rome.

Usage Notes

The term “eunuch” is often used in a historical or cultural context to describe a man who has been castrated or neutered. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a man who is perceived as being emasculated or lacking in masculinity. When using the term in a metaphorical sense, it is essential to be sensitive to the complex and often negative connotations associated with the term.

Cultural References

The term “eunuch” has appeared in a variety of cultural references, including literature, film, and television. For example, the character of the eunuch in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is a classic example of the term’s use in literature. Similarly, the film “The Eunuch of the Forbidden City” (1987) tells the story of a eunuch who rises to power in the imperial court of ancient China.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

The term “eunuch” has been used in a variety of idiomatic expressions and phrases, including “eunuch’s revenge” and “eunuch’s dilemma”. These phrases are often used to describe situations in which a person is faced with a difficult or impossible choice, or in which a person seeks revenge or retribution.

Related Words or Phrases

Words or phrases that are closely related to the term “eunuch” include “castrato”, “neuter”, and “emasculate”. These terms all refer to the removal or suppression of male genitalia or masculinity.

Collocations

Common word combinations with the term “eunuch” include “imperial eunuch”, “court eunuch”, and “eunuch servant”. These combinations are often used to describe the role or position of a eunuch in a historical or cultural context.

Frequency of Use

The term “eunuch” is not commonly used in modern language, except in historical or cultural contexts. However, it remains an important part of our cultural and historical heritage, and continues to be used in a variety of idiomatic expressions and phrases.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of the term “eunuch” include “eunich”, “eunuk”, and “eunukh”. These misspellings are often due to the term’s complex and unfamiliar spelling.