adjective
effete
ih-FEET/ɪˈfiːt/
Weak and lacking vitality.
The effete man struggles to lift a small watering can beside the vigorous gardener.
Etymology
The components originally concerned bringing forth offspring; Latin effetus described being worn out or past bearing. Physical exhaustion became intellectual or moral exhaustion, then decadent refinement and lack of vigor.
In context
Russia has no use for an effete ally such as England is." "Effete or powerful, my country is still able to present an ultimatum when diplomacy requires it," I said.
More examples
- His effete prose lacks the energy of his earlier novels.
- The once vigorous movement now seems effete and directionless.
- She dismisses the exclusive club as an effete relic.
Forms
effete
effeteness noun — The condition of lacking strength or vitality.