effeminate

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king, by his voluptuous life and mean marriage, became effeminate, and less sensible of honor. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

An effeminate and unmanly foppery. Bp. Hurd. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Womanlike; womanly; tender; -- in a good sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation. [ 1913 Webster ]