[ad. L. effēminātus, pa. pple. of effēmināre (see EFFEMINATE a.) Cf. F. efféminer.]
† 1. trans. To make into a woman; to represent as a woman. Obs. rare.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 493. They effeminated the Air and attributed it to Juno.
1739. Cibber, Apol. (1756), I. 90. Till the male Queen cou’d be effeminated [i.e., till the actor playing that part could be shaved].
2. To make womanish or unmanly; to enervate.
1551–6. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop. (Arb.), 40. It is not to be feared lest they shoulde be effeminated, if thei were brought vp in good craftes.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1585), 155. He effeminated his souldiers with all kind of delicacy and lasciuiousnesse.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (1841), 19. Bringing sweet comfortes into Theaters which rather effeminate the minde.
1676. Shadwell, Libertine, IV. ii. Luxurious living … Effeminates fools in body.
1699. T. C[ockman], Tully’s Offices, 61, note. A Stream, which was said to soften and effeminate those, that wash’d in it.
1758. Herald, II. 252. If the too free admission of wealth … could … effeminate their manners.
1829. Southey, Sir T. More, II. 236. Luxury has not effeminated them.
3. intr. To become womanish; to grow weak, languish.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 236. To seen a man from his estate Through his soty effeminate And leve that a man shall do.
1612. Bacon, Greatness Kingd., Ess., 239. In a slothfull peace both courages will effeminate, and manners corrupt.
