Effeminisation

/ɪˌfɛmɪnaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The British English spelling of the process of becoming or being made effeminate; the state of having adopted feminine characteristics.

Etymology

British English nominalization using the '-isation' suffix (as opposed to American '-ization'). The word follows standard English suffixation patterns and represents British spelling conventions that diverged in the 18th-19th centuries.

Kelly Says

This word is basically the same as 'effeminization' but spelled the British way—it's a perfect example of how Britain and America created parallel vocabularies for the same concepts after independence.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

British spelling of nominalized effemination; same pathological framing and historical use in medicalizing gender nonconformity.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid. Use 'adoption of feminine expression' or 'gender-nonconforming presentation' for neutral description.

Inclusive Alternatives

["adoption of feminine expression","gender-nonconforming presentation"]

Related Words

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