Cull

Part of Speech

Verb, Noun

Pronunciation

/kʌl/ (English - UK, US)

Definitions

• (Verb) To select and remove weaker or unwanted individuals from a group.
• (Verb) To reduce the population of a species by selective removal.
• (Noun) Something that has been selected or removed, especially in livestock or agriculture.

Usage Examples

• "The farmer had to cull the sick cattle to prevent disease spread."
• "Only the best apples are selected, and the rest are culled."

Etymology

From Middle English "cullen," derived from Old French "cuillir," meaning "to gather, select."

Synonyms

• Select
• Remove
• Eliminate
• Weed out

Antonyms

• Preserve
• Keep
• Include

Translations

Regional Pronunciations

In American English, "cull" is pronounced as /kʌl/ with a short "u" sound.

In British English, it is similarly pronounced but may have a softer ending.

Historical Usage

Historically, culling was used in livestock farming to ensure healthy herds. It has also been applied in fisheries, wildlife management, and agriculture.

Cultural Nuances

Culling can be a controversial practice, particularly in wildlife conservation, where it is debated whether removing individuals benefits the ecosystem.

More Information

Culling is widely used in agriculture, animal breeding, and wildlife management. Farmers and conservationists use it to manage populations and maintain ecological balance. In some cases, culling is necessary to prevent the spread of disease or to remove invasive species. However, ethical debates arise regarding its impact on biodiversity.