adj. Having or showing qualities or characteristics more often associated with females than males; unmanly: "gentle, kind, effeminate remorse" (Shakespeare). [Middle English effeminat, from Latin effēminātus, past participle of effēmināre, to make feminine : ex-, ex- + fēmina, woman; see dhē(i)- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ef·femi·na·cy (-nə-sē), ef·femi·nate·ness n. ef·femi·nate n. ef·femi·nate·ly adv. |
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