online medical dictionary | definition of effeminate

1. Having some characteristic of a woman, as delicacy, luxuriousness, etc.; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; womanish; weak. "The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor." (Bacon) "An effeminate and unmanly foppery." (Bp. Hurd)

2. Womanlike; womanly; tender; in a good sense. "Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse." (Shak)

Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.

Origin: L. Effeminatus, p. P. Of effeminare to make a woman of; ex out + femina a woman. See Feminine.

To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken. "It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds." (Locke)

Origin: Effeminated; Effeminating.

To grow womanish or weak. "In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt." (Pope)

(01 Mar 1998)