To remove or reduce feminine qualities or characteristics from someone or something.
From de- (reversal) + feminine + -ise (British suffix forming verbs). This is the British English spelling; American English uses 'defeminize.' It became common in mid-20th century academic and medical writing.
Both the British '-ise' and American '-ize' endings are actually Latin in origin—'-ise' comes through French while '-ize' comes directly from Latin '-izare.' The choice of spelling tells you where the word was first used professionally!
British spelling variant of 'defeminize'; carries same 20th-century pathologizing assumptions about femininity as undesirable or removable.
Avoid in social contexts; use only in clinical settings where describing actual medical transition, with emphasis on patient agency.
["transition","present","express identity"]
Reframe toward affirming identity choices rather than treating femininity as something to be eliminated.
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