Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.
Shak.
Effeminate and womanish are generally used in a reproachful sense; feminine and womanly, applied to women, are epithets of propriety or commendation.
Ef*fem"i*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Effeminated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Effeminating (?).] To make womanish; to make soft and delicate; to weaken.
It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.
Locke.
Ef*fem"i*nate, v. i. To grow womanish or weak.
In a slothful peace both courage will effeminate and manners corrupt.
Pope.
Ef*fem"i*nate*ly (?), adv. 1. In an effeminate or womanish manner; weakly; softly; delicately. "Proud and effeminately gay." Fawkes.
2. By means of a woman; by the power or art of a woman. [R.] "Effeminately vanquished." Milton.
Ef*fem"i*nate*ness, n. The state of being effeminate; unmanly softness. Fuller.
Ef*fem`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. effeminatio.] Effeminacy; womanishness. [Obs.] Bacon.