emasculate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to deprive a person, institution, or measure of strength, power, or effectiveness

   The final amendment would emasculate the regulator by removing its enforcement powers.

2. 2
   verb

   to castrate a male person or animal

   Historically, farmers would emasculate some male livestock to make them easier to manage.

From Medieval Latin emasculare 'to emasculate', formed from e- or ex- 'out, away' + masculus 'male, masculine', itself related to Latin mas 'male'. The figurative sense extends physical castration to the removal of power or effectiveness.

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