Effeminate

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effeminate

EFFEM'INATE, a. L. effoeminatus, from effoeminor, to grow or make womanish, from foemina, a woman. See Woman.

1. Having the qualities of the female sex; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; tender; womanish; voluptuous.

The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor.

2. Womanish; weak; resembling the practice or qualities of the sex; as an effeminate peace; an effeminate life.

3. Womanlike, tender, in a sense not reproachful.

EFFEM'INATE, v.t. To make womanish; to unman; to weaken; as to effeminate children.

EFFEM'INATE, v.i. To grow womanish or weak; to melt into weakness.

In a slothful peace courage will effeminate.

EFFEM'INATELY, adv. In a womanish manner; weakly; softly.

1. By means of a woman; as effeminately vanquished.

EFFEM'INATENESS, n. Unmanlike softness.

EFFEMINA'TION, n. The state of one grown womanish; the state of being weak or unmanly. Little used.