Meanings
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1
adj
dated and derogatory, especially of a man: having traits stereotypically associated with women and judged weak or unsuitable
The historian notes that calling the prince womanish reflected the period's sexist assumptions.
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2
adj
archaic: characteristic of, associated with, or carried out by women
The author praised what she called womanish compassion, though the phrase now sounds dated.
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3
verb
obsolete: to make someone or something womanish or supposedly effeminate
The courtier claimed that luxury would womanish the soldiers, an argument rooted in old gender stereotypes.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English wommanyssh, formed from woman + -ish; the obsolete verb arose from the adjective. The disparaging sense reflects historical gender stereotypes, so modern definitions label it dated and derogatory.