Effeminised

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Made to take on characteristics or behaviors traditionally viewed as feminine
2. Altered to show traits or appearances associated with women or femininity
3. Changed or influenced to display qualities conventionally linked to the female gender

Etymology: "Effeminised" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "effeminise", so its history is that of the verb itself. "Effeminise" is formed from "effeminate", the adjective meaning soft or womanish, with the verb-making suffix "-ise" added, and the verb carries the sense of making someone or something take on qualities thought of as feminine. The base it rests on is the Latin "effeminatus", a past participle of "effeminare", meaning to make womanish, which is built from "ex-" (out, thoroughly) and "femina" (woman). The verb's suffix "-ise" comes from Greek through French, the same route that gives many English verbs of making.

Synonyms: feminized, softened, delicate, gentle, tender

Antonyms: masculinized, hardened, rugged, strong, tough