effeminate
verb
- cause to have feminine qualities
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L314054 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ɪˈfɛmɪnət/ / /ɪˈfɛmɪneɪt/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).
- Of a boy or man, exhibiting behavior or mannerisms considered typical of a woman or unmasculine.
“An effeminate and unmanly foppery.”
“The Comte d'Artois had neither the dignified nor the manly air of his brother—he rather appeared like a pretty-looking girl, so effeminate was he and fair.”
- Womanly; tender, affectionate, caring.
“Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.”
noun
Etymology: From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).
- An effeminate person.
“The effeminates are males with obviously recognizable traits and mannerisms; […]”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English effeminat, effemynat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēminō, from fēmina (“woman”).
- To make womanly; to unman.
“the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre.”
“It will not corrupt or effeminate their [children's] minds.”
- To become womanly.