effete

英 [ɪ'fiːt] 美 [ɪ'fit]

解释

※ 提供单词"effete"的中文意思、发音示范及音标对照，中英文词源、例句和用法等。

effete 软弱的，女人气的

ef-, 向外。-fet, 婴儿，词源同fetus, female. 原义为刚生完孩子的，引申义虚弱的，软弱的。

effete: effete: [17] Latin effētus meant literally ‘that has given birth’. It was a compound adjective, based on the prefix ex- ‘out’ and fētus ‘childbearing, offspring’ (source of English foetus). Its use spread metaphorically first to ‘worn out by giving birth’ and finally to simply ‘exhausted’, the senses in which English originally acquired it. The word’s modern connotations of ‘overrefinement’ and ‘decadence’ did not develop until the 19th century.
effete (adj.): 1620s, "functionless as a result of age or exhaustion," from Latin effetus (usually in fem. effeta) "exhausted, unproductive, worn out (with bearing offspring), past bearing," literally "that has given birth," from a lost verb, *efferi, from ex- "out" (see ex-) + fetus "childbearing, offspring" (see fetus). Figurative use is earliest in English; literal use is rare. Sense of "intellectually or morally exhausted" (1790) led to that of "decadent, effeminate" (by 1850s).

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2. The absurd and backward - looking notion of locating a research centre in an effete , rundown, has - been country.: 把研究中心设在一个苍老、衰退、过了时的国家,纯属愚蠢,开倒车的想法.

3. During the ages, Greek civilization declined and became effete.: 在中世纪期间, 希腊文明开始衰落直至衰败.

4. During the middle ages, Greek civilization declined and became effete.: 希腊文明在中世纪衰败并变得没落.

5. TYPICAL USE : Duing the middle ages, Greek civilization declined and effete.: 中世纪期间.希腊文明衰微且枯竭.