1) a male whose balls have been removed, either for government service (such as in ancient Africa and Rome) or, if the castration takes place before puburty, to prevent the voice from breaking (Italian opera's male sopranos of the 17th thru 19th centuries). In the present day, this sort of eunuch may result from testicular cancer.
2) a male whose entire genitalia is removed. Done as punishment in Ancient Rome, and to qualify for royal government service in China as recently as the 20th century. Also, the hijdra, a caste of Indian transexuals, practice this complete castration.
3) though rarely applied in this context, may also be a male with a single testicle amputated. A modern example would be Tom Green, who broadcast the operation on MTV and then went on to bang Drew Barrymore.
Not to be confused with Unix, a computer operating system believed to be superior to more mainstream options like Windows and Mac.
2) a male whose entire genitalia is removed. Done as punishment in Ancient Rome, and to qualify for royal government service in China as recently as the 20th century. Also, the hijdra, a caste of Indian transexuals, practice this complete castration.
3) though rarely applied in this context, may also be a male with a single testicle amputated. A modern example would be Tom Green, who broadcast the operation on MTV and then went on to bang Drew Barrymore.
Not to be confused with Unix, a computer operating system believed to be superior to more mainstream options like Windows and Mac.
by skyblack March 22, 2004
a male whose sexual glands (testes) have been removed before puberty; a castrated male. Eunuchs, or 'castrati' develop many of the secondary sex characteristics of females, especially a higher voice, absence of a beard, and scanty body hair. At one time, castration was performed to preserve the soprano voice of young choir boys, and also to provide harem guards who could not seduce their charges. (Greek euoukus, 'guardian of the bed.')
"You need to find yourself a girl, mate. Or perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you already found one and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet. You're not a eunuch, are you?"
- Capt. Jack Sparrow
- Capt. Jack Sparrow
by Dave Hoff May 3, 2005
A eunuch is a castrated human male. The castration can be only of the testes, or also include the penis, known as a penectomy (often with a tube inserted to keep the urethra open, called a urethral rerouting). The practice was established before 700 BC and accounts of eunuchs are known throughout history.
The English word eunuch is from the Greek eune ("bed") and ekhein ("to keep"), effectively "bed keeper." This indicates the traditional role of the eunuch—as a reliable keeper of a ruler's harem. Other servants or slaves were also castrated in order to make them 'safer,' either in childhood or later.
The English word eunuch is from the Greek eune ("bed") and ekhein ("to keep"), effectively "bed keeper." This indicates the traditional role of the eunuch—as a reliable keeper of a ruler's harem. Other servants or slaves were also castrated in order to make them 'safer,' either in childhood or later.
by bobby fisher December 21, 2004
A eunuch is someone who has their balls cut off before puberty and possibly might not be able to mature their voice or go through puberty fully. There is nothing to be ashamed about to being a eunuch. They were found as far back as to the Byzantine Empire, and even Egyptians.
An example of a eunuch would be Justin Bieber, and he's not even from Italy, Turkey, or Egypt! He's from Canada! A Canadian eunuch!
by firstblockhhs February 23, 2011
eunuch >noun a man who has been castrated.
-ORIGIN Greek eunoukhos 'bedroom guard' (eunuchs were formerly employed to guard the women's living areas at an oriental court).
-ORIGIN Greek eunoukhos 'bedroom guard' (eunuchs were formerly employed to guard the women's living areas at an oriental court).
One might confuse cowardly men for eunuchs. In fact, they HAVE balls and have forgotten how to use them properly
by Ms. Sparrow February 20, 2004
"you're not a eunuch are you?"
"hes no one, my mothers uncles aunties son...lovely singing voice though....EUNUCH!" (both quoted from POTC (if unsure see definition))
"hes no one, my mothers uncles aunties son...lovely singing voice though....EUNUCH!" (both quoted from POTC (if unsure see definition))
by founder of the eunuch society July 13, 2005
A term used to describe someone who is a mix of both sexes. am. My balls had to be removed before i Hit puberty. This gave me a somewhat 'feminine' appearance and now im not able to have sex. I pretend to be a man.
by Michael Rehmeyer November 24, 2007