effete

[ ih-feet ]
/ ɪˈfit /

adjective

lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent: an effete, overrefined society.
exhausted of vigor or energy; worn out: an effete political force.
unable to produce; sterile.

Origin of effete

1615–25; < Latin effēta exhausted from bearing, equivalent to ef- ef- + fēta having brought forth, feminine past participle of lost v.; see fetus

SYNONYMS FOR effete

2 enervated, debilitated.

OTHER WORDS FROM effete

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH effete

effeminate effete feminine womanish womanly (see synonym study at womanly)

Example sentences from the Web for effete

British Dictionary definitions for effete

effete
/ (ɪˈfiːt) /

adjective

weak, ineffectual, or decadent as a result of overrefinement an effete academic
exhausted of vitality or strength; worn out; spent
(of animals or plants) no longer capable of reproduction

Derived forms of effete

effetely, adverb effeteness, noun

Word Origin for effete

C17: from Latin effētus having produced young, hence, exhausted by bearing, from fētus having brought forth; see fetus