The practice or institution of castrating men to serve as servants or officials, historically used in various royal courts and harems.
From eunuch (from Greek eunouchos, 'bed-guard') + -ry (suffix forming abstract nouns). The term evolved from describing the practice itself in ancient Near Eastern and Byzantine courts.
Eunuchry shaped world history in ways we rarely discuss—the Ottoman Empire's administration relied heavily on enslaved eunuchs, creating a unique power structure where castrated men could rise to tremendous authority precisely because they couldn't establish rival dynasties.
Derived from eunuch; refers to the practice or state of castration. Historically loaded with power dynamics—castration was a form of control imposed on enslaved people and political prisoners.
Use 'castration' for clinical/historical accuracy. Eunuchry carries archaic, loaded connotations; modern discourse should specify context (surgical, historical, coercive).
["castration","surgical removal of genitalia"]
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