effeminate

Adjective

effeminate (comparative more effeminate, superlative most effeminate)

1. (derogatory, often) Of a boy or man, exhibiting behavior or mannerisms considered typical of a woman or unmasculine.
   • An effeminate and unmanly foppery.1759, Richard Hurd, Moral and Political Dialogues
   • The Comte d'Artois had neither the dignified nor the manly air of his brother—he rather appeared like a pretty-looking girl, so effeminate was he and fair.1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XI, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 125
2. (obsolete) Womanly; tender, affectionate, caring.
   • Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

Verb

IPA/ɪˈfɛmɪneɪt/

effeminate (third-person singular simple present effeminates, present participle effeminating, simple past and past participle effeminated)

1. (archaic, nonstandard, transitive) To make womanly; to unman.
   • the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre., Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.134
   • It will not corrupt or effeminate their [children's] minds.1693, [John Locke], “§106”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC
2. (intransitive) To become womanly.

Noun

effeminate (plural effeminates)

1. An effeminate person.
   • The effeminates are males with obviously recognizable traits and mannerisms; […]1976, Psychiatry, volumes 39-40, page 246