effete in English
- effete⇄adj. 1. no longer able to produce; worn out; exhausted; decadent.
Ex. During the Middle Ages, Greek civilization declined and became effete. The critic takes the measure of our abundance ... and writes at white heat of our effete ways (Saturday Rev - effete⇄adv. effetely.
- effete⇄effete, adjective, noun.
- effete⇄noun an effete person.
Ex. ... a center for ""effetes"" and intellectuals (Philip Roth). - effete⇄noun effeteness.
effete in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
effete in Sindhi سنڌي
effete
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
English (IPA): /ɪˈfiːt/
Definitions
- Exhausted of vitality or strength; worn out.
- Overrefined and lacking in vigor or effectiveness.
- Weak, decadent, or no longer capable of effective action.
Usage Examples
- "The once-great empire had become effete and was easily overthrown."
- "His effete lifestyle made him ill-prepared for the rugged journey ahead."
- "Critics argue that the aristocracy had grown effete and detached from society."
Etymology
Derived from Latin effētus meaning "worn out from bearing young," from ex- ("out") + fētus ("bearing, producing").
Synonyms
- Depleted
- Exhausted
- Weak
- Decadent
- Overrefined
Antonyms
- Strong
- Robust
- Vital
- Energetic
- Effective
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | decadente | /dekaˈðente/ |
| French | efféminé | /efemine/ |
| German | verweichlicht | /fɛɐ̯ˈvaɪ̯çlɪçt/ |
| Russian | изнеженный (iznezhennyy) | /ɪzˈnʲeʐɪn(ː)ɨj/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 衰弱的 (shuāiruò de) | /ʂwáɪ ʐwɔ̂ tə/ |
| Hindi | निर्बल (nirbal) | /nɪrˈbəl/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ɪˈfiːt/
- American English: /ɪˈfiːt/ or /əˈfiːt/
Historical Usage
Originally used in a biological sense referring to sterility, the term "effete" evolved over time to describe societies or individuals perceived as weak, decadent, or overrefined.
Cultural Nuances
The term "effete" is sometimes used in a derogatory sense to critique individuals or groups seen as lacking strength or effectiveness. It has been applied to political, social, and artistic contexts to describe perceived decadence or decline.
More Information
The word "effete" has often been used in literature and social commentary to describe the decline of civilizations, loss of vitality in leadership, or the overindulgence of aristocracies. Its connotations vary from neutral to negative depending on context.