mid-14c., "of the female sex," from Old French femenin (12c.) "feminine, female; with feminine qualities, effeminate," from Latin femininus "feminine" (in the grammatical sense at first), from femina "woman, female," literally "she who suckles," from root of felare "to suck, suckle" (see fecund). Usual modern sense of "woman-like, proper to or characteristic of women" is recorded from mid-15c. Related: Femininely.
The interplay of meanings now represented roughly in female "characteristic of the sex that bears children," feminine "having qualities considered appropriate to a woman," and effeminate "having female qualities in a bad sense, unmanly," and the attempt to keep them clear of each other, has led to many coinages. Among nouns, in addition to feminity "womanishness," femininity, femaleness, feminineness (1810, "female qualities"), there is feminitude (1878); feminility "womanliness" (1824); feminie "womankind" (late 14c.); femality (17c., "effeminacy;" 1754 "female nature"); feminacy "female nature" (1829); feminicity "quality or condition of being a woman" (1843). Also feminality (1640s, "quality or state of being female"), from rare adjective feminal "female, belonging to a woman" (late 14c.), from Old French feminal. And femineity "quality or state of being feminine," also "effeminate; womanly," from Latin femineus "of a woman, pertaining to a woman."
双语例句
1. In most languages adjectives have slightly different spellings for masculine and feminine.
在多数语言中，形容词的阳性和阴性的拼法略为不同。
来自柯林斯例句
2. This is a smart, yet soft and feminine look.
这是一张透着精明的面孔，但是线条柔和，女人味十足。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Bead-work, applique and embroidery add a uniquely feminine touch.
珠饰、嵌花和刺绣可增添一种独特的女人味。
来自柯林斯例句
4. If you venture from "feminine" standards, you are labelled aggressive and hostile.
女性要是不够女人味便会背上咄咄逼人、很不友善之名。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Crook liked her well enough, but remained indifferent to her feminine charms.
