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.
Nearby words
effects, effectual, effectually, effectuate, effeminacy, effeminate, effemination, effeminize, effendi, efferent, efferent duct
Origin of effeminate
SYNONYMS FOR effeminate
1 See female.
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for effemination
British Dictionary definitions for effemination
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
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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Medicine definitions for effemination
effemination
[ ĭ-fĕm′ə-nā′shən ]
n.
The acquisition of feminine characteristics, either physiologically by women, or pathologically by persons of either sex.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.