Fem″i‐nine (?), a. [L. femininus, fr. femina woman; prob. akin to L. fetus, or to Gr. θη̑σθαι to suck, θη̑σαι to suckle, Skr. dhā to suck; cf. AS. fǣmme woman, maid: cf. F. féminin. See Fetus.] 1. Of or pertaining to a woman, or to women; characteristic of a woman; womanish; womanly.
Her letters are remarkably deficient in feminine ease and grace. Macaulay.
2. Having the qualities of a woman; becoming or appropriate to the female sex; as, in a good sense, modest, graceful, affectionate, confiding; or, in a bad sense, weak, nerveless, timid, pleasure-loving, effeminate.
Her heavenly form
Angelic, but more soft and feminine. Milton.
Ninus being esteemed no man of war at all, but altogether feminine, and subject to ease and delicacy. Sir W. Raleigh.
Feminine rhyme. (Pros.) See Female rhyme, under Female, a.
Syn. — See Female, a.