Effeminate — Defs

01 a. Having some characteristic of a woman, as delicacy, luxuriousness, etc.; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; womanish; weak.

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.” — Bacon.

“An effeminate and unmanly foppery.” — Bp. Hurd.
2.
Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense.
“Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.” — Shak.

02 v. t. To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.

imp. & p. p. Effeminated; p. pr. & vb. n. Effeminating

1.
To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
“It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.” — Locke.

03 v. i. To grow womanish or weak.

1.
To grow womanish or weak.
“In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt.” — Pope.