ef·fem·i·nate /-nət/
(a.)柔弱的,女人氣的
Ef·fem·i·nate 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. --Bacon.
An effeminate and unmanly foppery. --Bp. Hurd.
2. Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense.
Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse. --Shak.
Note: ☞ Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.
Ef·fem·i·nate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Effeminated p. pr. & vb. n. Effeminating ] To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds. --Locke.
Ef·fem·i·nate, v. i. To grow womanish or weak.
In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt. --Pope.
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effeminate
adj 1: having unsuitable feminine qualities [syn: emasculate, epicene,
cissy, sissified, sissyish, sissy]
2: characterized by excessive softness or self-indulgence; "an
effeminate civilization" [syn: weak]