Effeminate
Effeminate , adjective
[Latin effeminatus, past participle of effeminare to make a woman of; ex out + femina a woman. See Feminine, a.]
1.
Having some characteristic of a woman, as delicacy, luxuriousness, etc.; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; womanish; weak.
The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor.
An effeminate and unmanly foppery.
2.
Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense.
Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.
Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.
Effeminate , transitive verb
To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.
Effeminate , intransitive verb
To grow womanish or weak.
In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt.