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.
Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense. Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse. Shak.
To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken. It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds. Locke.
To grow womanish or weak. In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt. Pope.
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