[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
1. The quality or condition of being effeminate or womanish; unmanly softness or weakness.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 59. An Art … not of effeminatenes, but of … stirring of courage.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, II. xxvii. (1840), 84. They sent a distaff and a spindle … as upbraiding their effeminateness.
1670. Lassels, Voy. Italy (1698), Pref. 19. My young traveller should leave behind him … all effeminateness.
1812. H. C. Robinson, Diary 17 June, in Earle, Philol. Eng. Tong., § 322. His sensibility … is in danger of being mistaken for effeminateness.
† 2. (Cf. EFFEMINATE a. 3.) Obs.
1648. Hexham, Dutch Dict. (1660), Verwijvinge, effeminatenesse, or given to women.
