effeminate

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēmināre.

[edit] Adjective

effeminate (comparative more effeminate, superlative most effeminate)

Positive
effeminate

Comparative
more effeminate

Superlative
most effeminate
  1. (of a man or boy) Having behaviour or mannerisms considered unmasculine or typical of a woman or girl; feminine.

[edit] Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA: /ɛˈfɛmɪnət/, /ɪˈfɛmɪnət/

[edit] Usage notes

Use of this word is often derogatory.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Translations

of a man, behaving like a woman

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to effeminate

Third person singular
effeminates

Simple past
effeminated

Past participle
effeminated

Present participle
effeminating

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

  1. (archaic) To make womanly; to unman.
    • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 134:
      the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre.

[edit] Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA: /ɛˈfɛmɪneɪt/

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Italian

[edit] Adjective

effeminate f.

  1. Feminine plural form of effeminato
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