‖ castrato
(kaˈstrato)
Pl. castrati.
[Ital.; pa. pple. of castrare used substantively:—L. castrāre to castrate.]
A male singer castrated in boyhood so as to retain a soprano or alto voice.
| 1763 J. Brown Poetry & Mus. v. 63 An Italian Castrato (who hath laboured at this Refinement through his whole Life). 1879 E. Gosse Lit. N. Europe 147 The Italian Opera..with its gang of castrati. |