Castrato
a male singer, especially in the 18th century, castrated before puberty to prevent his soprano or contralto voice range from changing.
Contemporary Examples
The Daily Pic: In his portrait of a castrato, Andrea Sacchi let a well-hung Apollo make up for the singer’s loss.
NSFW, in 1641? Blake Gopnik September 15, 2013
In his portrait of a castrato, Andrea Sacchi let a well-hung Apollo make up for the singer’s loss.
The Best of 2013’s Daily Pic by Blake Gopnik Blake Gopnik December 25, 2013
He laughed, a high-pitched chirp that sounded like a castrato.
My Surreal Night With Michael Jackson Abby Ellin July 5, 2009
Historical Examples
One could not have a pretty actress to supper without causing a scandal, but such an invitation to a castrato makes nobody talk.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
This castrato had a fine voice, but his chief attraction was his beauty.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
I thought he was a ‘castrato’ who, as is the custom in Rome, performed all the parts of a prima donna.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
He laughed at people who said that a castrato could not procreate.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
The castrato whom they did engage was Carestini, who, though less celebrated, was at any rate a singularly artistic singer.
Handel Edward J. Dent
My mother advised me to continue to give myself out as a castrato, in the hope of being able to take me to Rome.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
My new visitor proved to be the first castrato of the theatre, who brought an invitation to dinner from Narici.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
noun (pl) -ti (-tɪ), -tos
(in 17th- and 18th-century opera) a male singer whose testicles were removed before puberty, allowing the retention of a soprano or alto voice
n.
1763, from Italian castrato, from Latin castratus (see castration).
Read Also:
- Castration-complex
an unconscious fear of losing the genital organs, especially as punishment for oedipal feelings. noun (psychoanal) an unconscious fear of having one’s genitals removed, as a punishment for wishing to have sex with a parent castration complex n. In psychoanalytic theory, a child’s fear of injury to the genitals by the parent of the same […]
- Castration
to remove the testes of; emasculate; geld. to remove the ovaries of. Psychology. to render impotent, literally or metaphorically, by psychological means, especially by threatening a person’s masculinity or femininity. to deprive of strength, power, or efficiency; weaken: Without those ten new submarines, our navy will be castrated. a castrated person or animal. Contemporary Examples […]
- Castrati
a male singer, especially in the 18th century, castrated before puberty to prevent his soprano or contralto voice range from changing. Historical Examples This is the house of a great man, a chieftain; and we were told the name of the place is castrati. Albania E. F. Knight However, just as the sun was setting […]
- Castrated
to remove the testes of; emasculate; geld. to remove the ovaries of. Psychology. to render impotent, literally or metaphorically, by psychological means, especially by threatening a person’s masculinity or femininity. to deprive of strength, power, or efficiency; weaken: Without those ten new submarines, our navy will be castrated. a castrated person or animal. Contemporary Examples […]
- Catch
to seize or capture, especially after pursuit: to catch a criminal; to catch a runaway horse. to trap or ensnare: to catch a fish. to intercept and seize; take and hold (something thrown, falling, etc.): to catch a ball; a barrel to catch rain. to come upon suddenly; surprise or detect, as in some action: […]