'Effeminate' definitions:

Definition of 'effeminate'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Having unsuitable feminine qualities [syn: effeminate, emasculate, epicene, cissy, sissified, sissyish, sissy]

Definition of 'Effeminate'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Effeminate'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Effeminate'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Synonyms of 'effeminate'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Effeminate'