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Effeminate vs Merciful - What's the difference?

effeminate | merciful | Related terms |

Effeminate is a related term of merciful.


As adjectives the difference between effeminate and merciful

is that effeminate is (often|derogatory|of a man or boy) having behaviour or mannerisms considered unmasculine or typical of a woman or girl; feminine while merciful is showing mercy.

As a verb effeminate

is (archaic) to make womanly; to unman.

effeminate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (often, derogatory, of a man or boy) Having behaviour or mannerisms considered unmasculine or typical of a woman or girl; feminine.
  • * Bishop Hurd
    • An effeminate and unmanly foppery.
  • (obsolete) womanly; tender
  • * Shakespeare
    • Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.

    Synonyms

    * camp * swish

    Verb

    (effeminat)
  • (archaic) To make womanly; to unman.
  • * , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.134:
    • the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre.
  • * John Locke
    • It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.

    Related terms

    * effeminacy ----

    merciful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • showing mercy
  • * 1900', , Chapter I,
    • The murderer, he recalled, had been tried and sentenced to imprisonment for life, but was pardoned by a merciful governor after serving a year of his sentence.

    Antonyms

    * merciless * cruel

    Anagrams

    *