Definition of effete
1
: no longer fertile
2a
: 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
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Time Traveler for effete
The first known use of effete was in 1660
See more words from the same year