Definition of "effeminate"

effeminate

/ɪˈfɛmɪnət/

adjective
comparative more effeminate, superlative most effeminate
1. (often derogatory, of a man or boy) Exhibiting behaviour or mannerisms considered typical of a female; unmasculine.
  Quotations
  An effeminate and unmanly foppery.
  1759, Richard Hurd, Moral and Political Dialogues
  The Comte d'Artois had neither the dignified nor the manly air of his brother—he rather appeared like a pretty-looking girl, so effeminate was he and fair.
  1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XI, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), page 125
2. (obsolete) Womanly; tender, affectionate, caring.
  Quotations
  Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.
  c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene vii]
verb
third-person singular simple present effeminates, present participle effeminating, simple past and past participle effeminated
1. (transitive, archaic or nonstandard) To make womanly; to unman.
  Quotations
  the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre.
  1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […]
  It will not corrupt or effeminate their [children's] minds.
  1693, [John Locke], “§106”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […]
  I mean the represenstation of gay men on The Simpsons is getting more one-dimensional. For several years Smithers was quite masculine, yet the writers have effeminated him gradually (collecting Barbies, for instance), now he's rollerblading down the street with rainbow hotpants on?
  2003 April 13, AlannahLouis, “Thoughts on #308 - THREE GAYS OF THE CONDO”, in alt.tv.simpsons‎ (Usenet)
2. (intransitive) To become womanly.
noun
plural effeminates
1. An effeminate person.
  Quotations
  The effeminates are males with obviously recognizable traits and mannerisms; […]
  1976, Psychiatry, volumes 39-40, page 246

Definition of "effeminate"

effeminate

adjective

Quotations

Quotations

verb

Quotations

noun

Quotations