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Effeminate

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)

effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.

Origin: L. Effeminatus, p. P. Of effeminare to make a woman of; ex out _ femina a woman. See feminine.

to make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken. It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds. (Locke)

Origin: Effeminated; Effeminating.

to grow womanish or weak. In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt. (Pope)