— effetely , adv. — effeteness , n.
/i feet"/ , adj.
1. lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent: an effete, overrefined society.
2. exhausted of vigor or energy; worn out: an effete political force.
3. unable to produce; sterile.
[ 1615-25; effeta exhausted from bearing, equiv. to ef- EF- + feta having brought forth, fem. ptp. of lost v.; see FETUS ]
Syn. 2. enervated, debilitated.