Ef‐fem″i‐nate (?), 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.
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.
☞ Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.