effete

[ ih-feet ]

See synonyms for effete on Thesaurus.com

adjective

lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent: an effete, overrefined society.
exhausted of vigor or energy; worn out: an effete political force.

unable to produce; sterile.

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

Other words for effete

2	enervated, debilitated

See synonyms for effete on Thesaurus.com

Other words from effete

ef·fete·ly, adverb
ef·fete·ness, noun
non·ef·fete, adjective
non·ef·fete·ly, adverb
non·ef·fete·ness, noun
un·ef·fete, adjective
un·ef·fete·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with effete

effeminate, effete , feminine, womanish, womanly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for effete

effete

/ (ɪˈfiːt) /

adjective

weak, ineffectual, or decadent as a result of overrefinement: an effete academic
exhausted of vitality or strength; worn out; spent

(of animals or plants) no longer capable of reproduction

Origin of effete

C17: from Latin effētus having produced young, hence, exhausted by bearing, from fētus having brought forth; see fetus

Derived forms of effete

effetely, adverb
effeteness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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