word of my day

effete

Main Entry:

ef·fete

Pronunciation:

\e-ˈfēt, i-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Latin effetus, from ex- + fetus fruitful — more at feminine

Date:

1660

1: no longer fertile2 a: having lost character, vitality, or strength effete monarchies…of feudal Europe — G. M. Trevelyan> b: marked by weakness or decadence effete East> c: soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence effete Easterners — William Helmer> <effete tenderfeet>; also : characteristic of an effete person effete on an outdoorsman — Nelson Bryant>3: effeminate 1 effete boy brought up by maiden aunts — Herman Wouk>

— ef·fete·ly adverb

— ef·fete·ness noun