King James Bible Dictionary

EFFEM'INATE, adjective [Latin effoeminatus, from effoeminor, to grow or make womanish, from foemina, a woman. See Woman.]

1. Having the qualities of the female sex; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; tender; womanish; voluptuous.

The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate and less sensible of honor.

2. Womanish; weak; resembling the practice or qualities of the sex; as an effeminate peace; an effeminate life.

3. Womanlike, tender, in a sense not reproachful.

EFFEM'INATE, verb transitive To make womanish; to unman; to weaken; as to effeminate children.

EFFEM'INATE, verb intransitive To grow womanish or weak; to melt into weakness.

In a slothful peace courage will effeminate

EFFEM'INATELY, adverb In a womanish manner; weakly; softly.

1. By means of a woman; as effeminately vanquished.

EFFEM'INATENESS, noun Unmanlike softness.