I. -nə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English effeminat, from Latin effeminatus, past participle of effeminare to make effeminate, from ex- + femina woman — more at feminine
1. : marked by qualities more characteristic of and suited to women than to men : lacking manly strength and purpose : exhibiting or proceeding from delicacy, weakness, emotionalism : marked by luxuriousness or voluptuousness
such men practiced extravagances and affectations, and are generally described as effeminate — W.G.Sumner
had found in his nature strange depths of love for the little mite … and thought the exhibition of it effeminate — Ruth Park
blessed with all good things, these godchildren soon became effeminate and suffered all manner of misfortunes — American Guide Series: Louisiana
2. obsolete : tender , soft , delicate
3. of wool : overdelicate or oversoft
Synonyms: see female
II. -ˌnāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin effeminatus
: to make effeminate : weaken
it will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds — John Locke
III. -_nə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: effeminate (I)
: an effeminate person