effeminate
[ adjective ih-fem-uh-nit; verb ih-fem-uh-neyt ]
/ adjective ɪˈfɛm ə nɪt; verb ɪˈfɛm əˌneɪt /
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adjective
(of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc.: effeminate luxury.
verb (used with or without object), ef·fem·i·nat·ed, ef·fem·i·nat·ing.
to make or become effeminate.
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Origin of effeminate
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English effeminat, from Latin effēmināt-, past participle stem of effēmināre “to make feminine,” equivalent to ef- ef- + fēmin(a) “woman” + -āre infinitive suffix
synonym study for effeminate
1. See female.
OTHER WORDS FROM effeminate
Words nearby effeminate
effects, effectual, effectually, effectuate, effeminacy, effeminate, effemination, effeminize, effendi, efferent, efferent duct
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for effeminate
British Dictionary definitions for effeminate
effeminate
/ (ɪˈfɛmɪnɪt) /
adjective
(of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly
lacking firmness or vigouran effeminate piece of writing
Derived forms of effeminate
effeminacy or effeminateness, nouneffeminately, adverbWord Origin for effeminate
C14: from Latin effēmināre to make into a woman, from fēmina woman
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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