effete

From the Latin effetus, in turn from ex- and fetus. Originally, it ment weakened from giving birth.

In English it came to mean worn out or barren, and unable to bear young.

About 50 years ago, it started to take a strange turn -- probably due in large part to empty-headed society columnists, it began to be used to mean 'sophisticated'. You can still see it used in this way today.

These days it is often used to mean 'marked by self-indulgence, triviality, or decadence'. It is also sometimes used to mean 'overrefined' or 'effeminate'.

Pronounced eh-FEET.

Ef*fete" (?), a. [L. effetus that has brought forth, exhausted; ex + fetus that has brought forth. See Fetus.]

No longer capable of producing young, as an animal, or fruit, as the earth; hence, worn out with age; exhausted of energy; incapable of efficient action; no longer productive; barren; sterile.

Effete results from virile efforts. Mrs. Browning

If they find the old governments effete, worn out, . . . they may seek new ones. Burke.

© Webster 1913.