\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.
Note: Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a
      reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to
      women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.

\Ef*fem"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Effeminated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Effeminating}.]
To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
      It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.
                                               --Locke.

\Ef*fem"i*nate\, v. i.
To grow womanish or weak.
      In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and
      manners corrupt.                         --Pope.