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Webster 1913 Edition

Effeminate

Ef-fem′i-nate

,
Adj.
[L.
effeminatus
, p. p. of
effeminare
to make a woman of;
ex
out +
femina
a woman. See
Feminine
,
Adj.
]
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.
Shakespeare
☞ Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.

Ef-fem′i-nate

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Effeminated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Effeminating
.]
To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
It will not corrupt or
effeminate
children’s minds.
Locke.

Ef-fem′i-nate

,
Verb.
I.
To grow womanish or weak.
In a slothful peace both courage will
effeminate
and manners corrupt.
Pope.

Webster 1828 Edition

Effeminate

EFFEM'INATE

,
Adj.
[L. effoeminatus, from effoeminor, to grow or make womanish, from foemina, a woman. See Woman.]
1.
Having the qualities of the female sex; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; tender; womanish; voluptuous.
The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor.
2.
Womanish; weak; resembling the practice or qualities of the sex; as an effeminate peace; an effeminate life.
3.
Womanlike, tender, in a sense not reproachful.

EFFEM'INATE

,
Verb.
T.
To make womanish; to unman; to weaken; as to effeminate children.

EFFEM'INATE

,
Verb.
I.
To grow womanish or weak; to melt into weakness.
In a slothful peace courage will effeminate.

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