effeminate

[adj. ih-fem-uh-nit; v. ih-fem-uh-neyt] /adj. ɪˈfɛm ə nɪt; v. ɪˈfɛm əˌneɪt/
adjective
1.
(of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy.
2.
characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc.:
effeminate luxury.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object), effeminated, effeminating.
3.
to make or become effeminate.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin effēminātus, equivalent to ef- ef- + fēmin(a) woman + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
effeminately, adverb
effeminateness, noun
effemination, noun
uneffeminate, adjective
uneffeminately, adverb
Can be confused
effeminate, effete, feminine, womanish, womanly (see synonym study at womanly)
Synonyms
1. See female.
British Dictionary definitions for effeminate

effeminate

/ɪˈfɛmɪnɪt/
adjective
1.
(of a man or boy) displaying characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; not manly
2.
lacking firmness or vigour: an effeminate piece of writing
Derived Forms
effeminacy, effeminateness, noun
effeminately, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Latin effēmināre to make into a woman, from fēmina woman
Word Origin and History for effeminate
adj.

early 15c., from Latin effeminatus "womanish, effeminate," past participle of effeminare "make a woman of," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + femina "woman" (see feminine). Rarely used without reproach. Related: Effeminately.