Weakened, reduced in power, or made less effective; the term originally meant castrated but is now usually used metaphorically.
From Latin 'emasculatus' (e- meaning out + masculus meaning male). Originally a literal term, it evolved into figurative use meaning to strip away strength or effectiveness.
This word's journey from a physical meaning to a metaphorical one shows how uncomfortable truths about power and gender get softened over time into abstract language.
Derives from Latin 'emasculatus' (deprived of masculine vigor). The metaphorical use assumes masculinity equals strength, while femininity equals weakness—conflating biological sex with character traits. This framing perpetuates the historic devaluation of women's power and non-masculine expressions.
Use 'weakened,' 'undermined,' 'stripped of power,' or 'diminished' to describe loss of agency without gendering strength itself.
["weakened","undermined","stripped of authority","diminished"]
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