castrato

[ ka-strah-toh, kuh-; Italian kah-strah-taw ]

/ kæˈstrɑ toʊ, kə-; Italian kɑˈstrɑ tɔ /

a male singer, especially in the 18th century, castrated before puberty to prevent his soprano or contralto voice range from changing.

Origin of castrato

1755–65; < Italian < Latin castrāt(us); see castrate

However, just as the sun was setting we approached the hut of Castrati.

Albania |E. F. Knight
We entered the large lower room, which in every respect was similar to that in which we passed the previous night at Castrati.

Albania |E. F. Knight
Eunuchs are capable of affording illicit pleasure, whilst the male sopranos, or castrati, are often utilized for that purpose.

Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology |W. G. Aitchison Robertson
Our good-byes at Castrati before starting were affectionate and protracted.

Albania |E. F. Knight

This is the house of a great man, a chieftain; and we were told the name of the place is Castrati.

Albania |E. F. Knight

castrato

/ (kæˈstrɑːtəʊ) /

(in 17th- and 18th-century opera) a male singer whose testicles were removed before puberty, allowing the retention of a soprano or alto voice

C18: from Italian, from Latin castrātus castrated