Definition of GELD (original) (raw)

transitive verb

1

: to castrate (an animal)

Some old-timers will tell you that the horse will grow better if you wait until he's older to geld him, but I've found this isn't the case …—Practical Horseman

2

: to deprive of a natural or essential part

the legislation was pretty much gelded by the time it was passed

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old Norse gelda; akin to Old English gelde sterile

Noun

Old English gield, geld service, tribute; akin to Old English gieldan to pay, yield — more at yield entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of geld was in the 14th century