effeminateness

ef·fem·i·nate

[adj. ih-fem-uh-nit; v. ih-fem-uh-neyt] adjective, verb, ef·fem·i·nat·ed, ef·fem·i·nat·ing.
adjective
1.
(of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
2.
characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc.: effeminate luxury.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
3.
to make or become effeminate.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin effēminātus, equivalent to ef- ef- + fēmin(a) woman + -ātus -ate1

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

effeminate, effete, feminine, womanish, womanly (see synonym study at womanly).


1. See female.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To effeminateness
00:10
Effeminateness is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Collins
World English Dictionary
effeminate (ɪˈfɛmɪnɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  (of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly
2.  lacking firmness or vigour: an effeminate piece of writing
 
[C14: from Latin effēmināre to make into a woman, from fēmina woman]
 
ef'feminacy
 
n
 
ef'feminateness
 
n
 
ef'feminately
 
adv

effeminate (ɪˈfɛmɪnɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  (of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly
2.  lacking firmness or vigour: an effeminate piece of writing
 
[C14: from Latin effēmināre to make into a woman, from fēmina woman]
 
ef'feminacy
 
n
 
ef'feminateness
 
n
 
ef'feminately
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

effeminate
early 15c., from L. effeminatus, pp. of effeminare "make a woman of," from ex- "out" + femina "woman" (see feminine). Rarely used without reproach.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT