| source : web1913 |
Effete \Ef*fete"\, a. [L. effetus that has brought forth,
exhausted; ex + fetus that has brought forth. See {Fetus}.]
No longer capable of producing young, as an animal, or fruit,
as the earth; hence, worn out with age; exhausted of energy;
incapable of efficient action; no longer productive; barren;
sterile.
Effete results from virile efforts. --Mrs.
Browning
If they find the old governments effete, worn out, . .
. they may seek new ones. --Burke.
| source : wn |
effete
adj : marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay; "a
decadent life of excessive money and no sense of
responsibility"; "a group of effete self-professed
intellectuals" [syn: {decadent}]