effeminate
AdjectiveWordNet 3.0
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Effeminate \Ef*fem"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Effeminated; p. pr. & vb. n. Effeminating.] To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken. [1913 Webster]
It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
Effeminate \Ef*fem"i*nate\, v. i. To grow womanish or weak. [1913 Webster]
In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
Effeminate \Ef*fem"i*nate\, a. [L. effeminatus, p. p. of effeminare to make a woman of; ex out + femina a woman. See Feminine, a.]
1.Having some characteristic of a woman, as delicacy, luxuriousness, etc.; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; womanish; weak. [1913 Webster]
The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
An effeminate and unmanly foppery.— Bp. Hurd.[1913 Webster]
2.Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense. [1913 Webster]
Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Note: Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation. [1913 Webster]