[ef.fete] adj [L effetus, fr. ex- + fetus fruitful--more at feminine] (1660) 1: no longer fertile
2. a: having lost character, vitality, or strength "the ~ monarchies ... of feudal Europe --G. M. Trevelyan" b: marked by weakness or decadence "the ~ East" c: soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence "peddled ... trendy tweeds to ~ Easterners --William Helmer" "~ tenderfeet"; also: characteristic of an effete person "a wool scarf ... a bit ~ on an outdoorsman --Nelson Bryant"
3: effeminate 1 "a good-humored, ~ boy brought up by maiden aunts --Herman Wouk" -- ef.fete.ly adv -- ef.fete.ness n