effeminacy

[ ih-fem-uh-nuh-see ]
See synonyms for effeminacy on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the state or quality of being effeminate.

Origin of effeminacy

1
First recorded in 1595–1605; effemin(ate) + -acy

Words Nearby effeminacy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use effeminacy in a sentence

  • And with the passing of Roman manhood into oriental effeminacy began the passing of Roman sway over the civilized world.

    The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone Johnston
  • They despised wealth just as other nations despise effeminacy and foppery.

    Xerxes | Jacob Abbott
  • He had delicate features, redeemed from effeminacy by the swarthiness of his complexion, and his quick intensity of expression.

    North and South | Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
  • There where true grace simply used ease and provenance, affected grace becomes effeminacy.

    The Aesthetical Essays | Friedrich Schiller
  • Of the effeminacy of a night robe Webster knew nothing except by somewhat hazy rumour.

    Corporal Cameron | Ralph Connor