Ef*fem"i*nate , v. i. To grow womanish or weak.
In a slothful
peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt.
Pope.
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.
It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.
Locke.
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.
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. &fist; Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.
Hear it pronounced