Pronunciation: i- ' mas-ky ə - ˌ l ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -lat · ed ; -lat · ing
Etymology: Latin emasculatus, past participle of emasculare, from e- + masculus male ― more at MALE
Date: 1607
1 : to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit : WEAKEN
2 : to deprive of virility or procreative power : CASTRATE
3 : to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process of artificial cross-pollination
synonyms see UNNERVE
– emas · cu · late \ -l ə t \ adjective
– emas · cu · la · tion \ - ˌ mas-ky ə - ' l ā -sh ə n \ noun
– emas · cu · la · tor \ - ' mas-ky ə - ˌ l ā -t ə r \ noun