Pronunciation: [spˈe͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The word "spay" is spelled with the letters S, P, A, and Y. It is pronounced as /speɪ/, with the first sound being a voiceless bilabial plosive /s/, followed by a diphthong /eɪ/ that sounds like the "ay" in "pay". This word refers to the surgical sterilization of female animals and is commonly used in veterinary settings. The spelling of "spay" is straightforward and phonetic, as each letter represents a distinct sound in its pronunciation.
Spay, as a verb, refers to the surgical procedure of removing the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus) of a female animal, most commonly performed on cats and dogs. This procedure, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, is carried out by a veterinarian to sterilize female animals, rendering them incapable of reproducing.
When an animal is spayed, an incision is made in the abdomen to access and remove the ovaries and uterus. The surgical intervention is performed under general anesthesia to ensure safety and a pain-free experience for the animal.
There are several reasons why spaying female animals is recommended. Firstly, it is a method of controlling the population of stray and unwanted animals, reducing the number of homeless pets. Additionally, spaying can provide numerous health benefits, including the prevention of uterine infections, ovarian cysts, and certain types of cancer. It can also eliminate the occurrence of heat cycles, which can be accompanied by behavioral changes, vocalization, and attract unwanted male attention.
Spaying is typically recommended between the ages of six months to a year, before the first heat cycle. However, the procedure can be performed at any age, even on older animals. After being spayed, animals usually recover in a few days, during which time caregivers must provide proper post-operative care, including rest, pain management, and monitoring for any signs of complications.
To remove the ovaries, to castrate (a woman).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
To extirpate the ovaries of; to castrate, said of a female animal.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "spay" originated from the Old French term "espeer" or "espaaer", which means "to cut with a sword" or "to pierce". This Old French word itself came from the Latin word "ex-" (meaning "out") and "spatha" (meaning "sword"). Initially, this term was used to describe the act of castrating or neutering male animals by using a sword.
Over time, the meaning of "spay" shifted and began to solely refer to the sterilization or removal of the ovaries and uterus in female animals. Nowadays, "spay" is commonly used to describe the surgical procedure performed to sterilize female animals, particularly cats and dogs.
