declaw

[ dee-klaw ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to remove the claws of (an animal, especially a cat) by a surgical procedure:

   Whatever you do, please do not declaw your cat—just trim the claws regularly.

   Many vets now refuse to declaw.

noun

1. the surgical procedure or service of removing the claws of an animal, especially a cat:

   In those days cat owners were told that to save their furniture, a declaw was definitely in order.

Word History and Origins

Origin of declaw¹

First recorded in 1900–05; de- ( def ) + claw ( def )

Example Sentences

“You must declaw this Newt and chop off her tail!”

From Literature

Painful cosmetic procedures, such as ear-cropping and declawing, are already illegal in the UK.

From BBC

The warmth of the family melodrama that powers the internal core of the narrative and provides the impetus to push Monk forward with the fake book tends to declaw the social commentary.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is important that people understand that declawing a cat is painful and traumatic for the animal,” he said.

From Seattle Times

The state statute was originally put in place to deal with entertainers who would wrestle declawed bears, a practice that drew approbation from activists and regulatory action from legislators.

From Washington Times