a. [ L. effeminatus, p. p. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

An effeminate and unmanly foppery. Bp. Hurd. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Effeminated p. pr. & vb. n. Effeminating ] To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken. [ 1913 Webster ]

It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To grow womanish or weak. [ 1913 Webster ]

In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In an effeminate or womanish manner; weakly; softly; delicately. “Proud and effeminately gay.” Fawkes. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. By means of a woman; by the power or art of a woman. [ R. ] “Effeminately vanquished.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being effeminate; unmanly softness. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]