cull
cull Lexical Profile
cull Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To select, gather, or obtain facts, examples, or items from a larger source or collection.
"The historian culled fascinating anecdotes from centuries-old parish records for her new book."
To reduce the population of a wild or domestic animal group by selective slaughter.
"Wildlife managers decided to cull the invasive species to protect native ground-nesting birds."
To remove or reject inferior, unwanted, or surplus items or animals from a group.
"Librarians periodically cull outdated reference volumes to make shelf space for new acquisitions."
• noun
A selective slaughter of wild or domestic animals in order to reduce their population or remove weaker individuals.
"Conservation authorities debated whether an annual deer cull was necessary to protect the young forest."
An animal or item separated from a group or flock because it is inferior, defective, or unsuitable for breeding or sale.
"The rancher separated the culls from the main herd before the livestock auction."
• Rhymes for cull
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English cullen ('to select or choose'), borrowed from Old French cueillir ('to gather or pluck'), ultimately from Latin colligere ('to collect or assemble').