1
: no longer fertile
2
a
: having lost character, vitality, or strength
the effete monarchies … of feudal Europe—
G. M. Trevelyan
… macrophages that recycle used iron from effete red cells.—
Nancy C. Andrews
b
: marked by weakness or decadence
the effete East
c
: soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence
peddled … trendy tweeds to effete Easterners—
William Helmer
effete tenderfeet
also
: characteristic of an effete person
a wool scarf … a bit effete on an outdoorsman —
Nelson Bryant
3
: effeminate sense 1
a good-humored, effete boy brought up by maiden aunts—
Herman Wouk
effetely
adverb
effeteness
noun
Podcast
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share