effete

American  

[ih-feet] / ɪˈfit /

adjective

1. lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent.

   an effete, overrefined society.

2. exhausted of vigor or energy; worn out.

   an effete political force.

   Synonyms:

   enervated

3. unable to produce; sterile.

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effete British  

/ ɪˈfiːt /

adjective

1. weak, ineffectual, or decadent as a result of overrefinement

   an effete academic

2. exhausted of vitality or strength; worn out; spent

3. (of animals or plants) no longer capable of reproduction

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noneffetely
  adverb
• effeteness
  noun
• uneffete
  adjective
• uneffeteness
  noun
• noneffeteness
  noun
• effetely
  adverb
• noneffete
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of effete

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin effēta “exhausted from bearing,” equivalent to ef- “from, out of” ( see ef-) + fēta “having brought forth,” feminine past participle of lost verb; see fetus

Explanation

Effete is a disapproving term meaning decadent and self-indulgent, even useless. The stereotype of the rugged Westerner is just as false as the one of the effete East Coast liberal. The origin of the word effete is a little unexpected. Coming from the Latin effetus "out of, past childbearing," effete meant "exhausted, spent" long before it acquired the sense of morally exhausted and overly refined. This is the main use of the word today. Do you ever wonder why some effete party girls are considered celebrities? Star athletes run the risk of losing their edge and becoming effete posterboys for their sports.