effeminate
effeminate
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling of "effeminate" with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ɪˈfɛməˌnət (This is the most common pronunciation in modern English)
Breakdown by syllable:
ɪ (short i sound, like in "bit")
ˈfɛ (combination of "f" and long "e" sounds, similar to "feign")
mə (schwa sound, a neutral vowel sound like the "uh" in "but")
ˌnət (combination of "n" and short "uh" sound, similar to "nut")
Word Form Variations
"Effeminate" itself doesn't have variations for singular and plural because it's an adjective. Adjectives describe nouns and don't change based on quantity.
However, there are related word forms derived from "effeminate":
Adverb: effeminately (describes how something is effeminate)
Noun:
effeminacy (the state of being effeminate)
(less common) effemination (the process of becoming effeminate)
Uncommon variations:
uneffeminate (adjective, meaning not effeminate)
uneffeminately (adverb, meaning not in an effeminate way)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Having characteristics or qualities traditionally associated with femininity in a man or boy. (e.g., He was teased for his effeminate walk.)
Synonyms: feminine, womanly, delicate, dainty, wimpy (informal), sissyish (informal), unmanly
Antonyms: masculine, manly, virile, rugged, tough
Adverb (derived from adjective):
Definition: In a way that is considered feminine or delicate, especially for a man or boy. (e.g., He spoke effeminately when addressing the king.)
Synonyms: femininely, womanly, delicately, daintily
Noun (less common):
Definition: The state of having characteristics or qualities traditionally associated with femininity in a man or boy. (e.g., He was criticised for his effeminacy.)
Synonyms: femininity, womanliness, delicateness, daintiness
Note:
The verb form "effeminate" (to make or become effeminate) is rarely used in modern English.
The negative forms "uneffeminate" and "uneffeminately" are uncommon but grammatically correct.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"The fop, with his curled hair and effeminate voice, stood out amongst the battle-hardened soldiers." (Fantasy novel)
Newspapers:
A headline in a cultural commentary piece: "Action Figures: Challenging Effeminate Portrayals of Men?" (Major newspaper)
Online Publication:
"The ballet dancer's movements were graceful and powerful, defying any notions of effeminate pursuits." (Arts and culture blog)
Entertainment Mediums:
Movie: In a comedic scene, a character might use "effeminate" to describe another character's overly dramatic reaction (e.g., a superhero film).
TV Show: A historical drama might depict a character being ostracised for their effeminate behaviour that doesn't conform to societal expectations (e.g., a period drama).
General Public Discourse (be cautious with this one):
"Effeminate" is a word to use with care in casual conversation because it can be offensive. It's best to focus on describing behaviour or actions instead of using labels. However, in a mature discussion about gender stereotypes, it might be used (carefully) to highlight a specific point (e.g., "The toy commercial reinforces the stereotype that boys shouldn't play with dolls because they're considered effeminate").
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Effeminate
Due to the potentially offensive nature of the word "effeminate" and the evolving social landscape around gender expression, it's difficult to find many truly famous quotes that utilise it. Here are some alternatives that capture different perspectives:
Neutral: "Throughout history, many cultures have associated certain colours with specific genders. For example, pink is often seen as a feminine colour, while blue is seen as masculine." (Source: Social science textbook)
Challenging Stereotypes: "Boys who enjoy ballet or wear bright colours are not being 'effeminate'; they are simply expressing themselves." (Activist or educator)
Historical Context: "Victorian ideals of masculinity emphasised strength and stoicism, while femininity was linked to delicacy and domesticity. This led to some men being ostracised for behaviours deemed 'effeminate.'" (Historical document)
Celebrating Diversity: "True strength comes in all forms, regardless of whether someone is traditionally masculine, feminine, or somewhere in between." (Motivational speaker)
Shakespeare (avoiding "effeminate" but capturing a similar idea): "Frailty, thy name is woman!" (Hamlet) Note: This quote reflects the patriarchal views of the time period.
Modern Reframing: "Let's move beyond rigid gender stereotypes and embrace the full spectrum of human expression." (Social media post)
Humor (avoiding negativity): "My five-year-old son loves glitter. Maybe he'll be a future rockstar, or maybe he just likes glitter. Who knows?" (Parenting blog)
Social Commentary: "The media often reinforces gender stereotypes by portraying men as action heroes and women as damsels in distress." (Scholarly article)
Historical Figure: "Queen Elizabeth I defied expectations of femininity by leading her nation into battle." (Quote about the queen)
Science: "Gender expression is a complex phenomenon influenced by biology, psychology, and social factors." (Scientific journal)
Etymology
The word "effeminate" is basically a mashup of two Latin words. The first part, "femina," means "woman." The second part, "-ate," is kind of like a sticker you add to words to mean "made into" something. So, literally, "effeminate" means "made womanly."
The word first showed up in English way back in the 1300s, and it was used to describe someone, usually a man, who had qualities typically associated with women. Back then, there were stricter ideas about how men and women should behave, so "effeminate" wasn't always a nice term.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Effeminate
Due to the potentially offensive nature of "effeminate" and the evolving social landscape, there aren't many common phrases or idioms that use it directly. However, here are some alternatives that capture similar ideas:
Phrases:
Delicate flower: Used to describe someone perceived as weak or easily offended. (This doesn' act directly refer to femininity, but carries a similar connotation)
Act like a girl/woman: Used in a negative way to suggest someone is behaving in a way not considered traditionally masculine.
Idioms (avoiding "effeminate")
Throw like a girl: Implies someone throws poorly, often used in a derogatory way.
Man up: Tells someone to act more tough or traditionally masculine.
Be a sissy: A childish term for someone considered weak or cowardly.
Posts Related to Effeminate
Source Information
Definition of effeminate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
