Definition

A male animal, particularly a horse, that has been castrated, meaning it can no longer reproduce.

Example

The gelding was known for its calm temperament and was often used in riding lessons.

Conversation

I saw a really interesting gelding at the stable yesterday.

Oh really? What was special about him?

He was so calm and friendly, unlike some of the others.

That sounds nice! Geldings usually have a great temperament.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Gelding** → The word 'gelding' originates from Old English 'gealding', which means a castrated male horse. The root 'geald' is related to the act of castration, and the suffix '-ing' indicates a process or result. Thus, 'gelding' refers to the process of castrating a male horse, resulting in a gelding.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English term for a castrated horse — 'gealding' — to remember that 'gelding' refers to this specific process.

Visually Confused Words