declaw

verb

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English claw English declaw From de- + claw.

1. To surgically remove the claws of (an animal); to perform onychectomy on.

   “On Oct. 9, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bans cats from being declawed statewide. Veterinarians can no longer declaw cats even if an owner wants the procedure to be done.”

2. To make harmless; to remove the power, authority, or force from.

   “The acerbic comedy has been declawed by the demands of network TV.”

   “If, when the moment arrives, China is unwilling to side with its allies, the Arabs will rapidly find a declawed Chinese dragon unwelcome.”