Effete: meaning, definitions and examples

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effete

 

[ ษชหˆfษ›t ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lack of vitality

Effete describes something that is no longer capable of effective action or is lacking in vitality. It can refer to a person, organization, or even a culture that has become weak, indulgent, or ineffective, often due to overindulgence or excess. This word carries a connotation of decay or decline, suggesting a situation from which vigor and strength have diminished. In literature, it may illustrate characters or societies that have lost their drive or purpose.

Synonyms

decadent, enervated, ineffective, weak, worn out

Examples of usage

  • The once vibrant city now seemed effete and lifeless.
  • Her effete lifestyle was a stark contrast to her hardworking peers.
  • The novel depicted an effete aristocracy that had lost its influence in a changing world.

Translations

Translations of the word "effete" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น efeminado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฎเคœเคผเฅ‹เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช kraftlos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lemah

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปะฐะฑะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ osล‚abiony

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็„กๅŠ›ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท effรฉminรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ afeminado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท zayฤฑf

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฌด๋ ฅํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุถุนูŠู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ slabรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ slabรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ— ๅŠ›็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกibek

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ veiklaus

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ะปัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒฃแƒกแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zษ™if

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ afeminado

Etymology

The word 'effete' originated from the Latin term 'effetus', which translates as 'worn out' or 'exhausted'. This Latin word is derived from 'ex-' meaning 'out of' and 'fetus', meaning 'to be delivered' or 'to produce'. Its usage evolved through Middle French before entering the English language in the early 17th century. Historically, the term was used to describe the overindulgence and decline of social classes, particularly the aristocracy, as they became increasingly detached from the struggles of life. Over time, 'effete' has maintained its essence of describing something that has become ineffective, worn, or lacking in vitality due to excess or decline.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,053, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.