Effeminate

a. [Lat. effeminatus, p. p. of effeminare, to make a woman of, or womanish, from ex, out, and femina, a woman; Fr. efféminer, Pr. & O. Sp. effeminar, Pg. effeminar, It. effeminare.] 1. Having the qualities of the female sex; soft or delicate to an unmanly degree; unmanly in tastes or desires; tender; womanish. The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor. Bacon. 2. Woman-like; womanly; tender;—in a good sense. “Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.” Shak. Syn.—Womanish; weak; tender; unmanly; voluptuous; delicate; cowardly.

[imp. & p. p. EFFEMINATED; p. pr. & vb. n. EFFEMINATING.] To make womanish; to unman; to weaken. “When one is sure it will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.” Locke.

v. i. To grow womanish or weak. In a slothful peace courage will effeminate. Pope.