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).
雙語例句
1. People said the aristocracy was effete.
人們說貴族階級已是日薄西山了.
來自辭典例句
2. The absurd and backward - looking notion of locating a research centre in an effete , rundown, has - been country.
把研究中心設(shè)在一個蒼老 、 衰退 、 過了時的國家,純屬愚蠢,開倒車的想法.
來自辭典例句
3. During the ages, Greek civilization declined and became effete.
在中世紀(jì)期間, 希臘文明開始衰落直至衰敗.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
4. During the middle ages, Greek civilization declined and became effete.
希臘文明在中世紀(jì)衰敗并變得沒落.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
5. TYPICAL USE : Duing the middle ages, Greek civilization declined and effete.