effeminate
[ adjective ih-fem-uh-nit; verb ih-fem-uh-neyt ]
adjective
(of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc.: effeminate luxury.
verb (used with or without object),ef·fem·i·nat·ed, ef·fem·i·nat·ing.
to make or become effeminate.
Origin of effeminate
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English effeminat, from Latin effēmināt-, past participle stem of effēmināre “to make feminine,” equivalent to ef- ef- + fēmin(a) “woman” + -āre infinitive suffix
synonym study For effeminate
1. See female.
Other words from effeminate
- ef·fem·i·nate·ly, adverb
- ef·fem·i·nate·ness, noun
- ef·fem·i·na·tion, noun
- un·ef·fem·i·nate, adjective
- un·ef·fem·i·nate·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with effeminate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for effeminate
effeminate
/ (ɪˈfɛmɪnɪt) /
adjective
(of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly
lacking firmness or vigour: an effeminate piece of writing
Origin of effeminate
1C14: from Latin effēmināre to make into a woman, from fēmina woman
Derived forms of effeminate
- effeminacy or effeminateness, noun
- effeminately, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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