capon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Rare)Technical (culinary/agricultural), Archaic/Figurative (literary/historical).
Quick answer
What does “capon” mean?
A castrated rooster (cockerel) fattened for eating, producing tender, flavorful meat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A castrated rooster (cockerel) fattened for eating, producing tender, flavorful meat.
A type of specialty poultry. Figuratively, a person who is rendered powerless, ineffective, or submissive (archaic/derogatory).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Caponization was historically more common in the UK and Europe; in the US, mass-produced chicken has largely replaced it.
Connotations
In both varieties, the culinary term is neutral. The figurative connotation is similarly archaic and negative.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern general English for both. More likely encountered in historical texts, gourmet cooking contexts, or rural settings.
Grammar
How to Use “capon” in a Sentence
[verb] a capon (roast, stuff, carve)a capon [preposition] (for Christmas, with herbs)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Farmers used to caponise the young cockerels to improve the meat.
American English
- The practice to caponize roosters is less common now.
adjective
British English
- The capon bird was basted with butter.
American English
- We ordered the capon special for the holiday meal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Potentially in niche agribusiness or gourmet food import/export.
Academic
Used in historical, agricultural, or literary studies (e.g., 'The capon as a symbol in Chaucer's works').
Everyday
Extremely rare. May be used by older generations or in gourmet cooking discussions.
Technical
Used in veterinary science, animal husbandry, and professional culinary contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capon”
- Misspelling as 'capone' (like the gangster).
- Using it as a general term for any chicken.
- Confusing it with 'pullet' (a young hen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. As a castrated male chicken, a capon does not lay eggs. It is raised solely for its meat.
Yes. Capon meat is typically more tender, flavourful, and has a higher fat content than standard chicken or rooster meat, due to the castration process and subsequent fattening.
In its literal, culinary sense, no. However, its historical figurative use to describe a weak or emasculated man is archaic and derogatory.
They are rare. You may find them at specialist butchers, high-end grocery stores around holidays, or directly from certain farms that practice traditional husbandry.
A castrated rooster (cockerel) fattened for eating, producing tender, flavorful meat.
Capon is usually technical (culinary/agricultural), archaic/figurative (literary/historical). in register.
Capon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪpən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪpɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Capon lined with bacon (obs. culinary instruction)”
- “A gelded capon (archaic insult, implying cowardice).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A CAP ON' its hormones – a rooster with its 'maleness' capped off, resulting in a plump bird.
Conceptual Metaphor
CASTRATION / NEUTERING → LOSS OF POTENCY OR AGGRESSION. (e.g., 'The bill was a capon, stripped of its teeth by the committee.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a capon?