Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
effectual
effectuate
effeminate
effendi
efferent
efferent neuron
effervesce
effervescent
effete
efficacious
efficacy
efficiency
efficiency apartment
efficiency wage
efficiency wage theory
efficient
efficient capital market
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "effete" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

effete

ef·fete [ i ft ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. decadent: characterized by decadence, overrefinement, or overindulgence

2. weak: lacking the strength or ability to get things done

[Early 17th century. < Latin effetus "worn out by bearing young" < fetus "breeding"]

ef·fete·ly adverb
ef·fete·ness noun
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft