Definition of "effeminacy"

It is an argument that cannot proceed but from a low Iudgment, or a ſpirit ſoothed with its owne Effeminaty, to ſay, He is Noble, he is a Courtier, he is a man of State, His quality tyeth him not to perfection, His vertue must be meaſured by the ell of the world, If he were ouer vertuous, the exceſſe of his Sanctity would be preiudiciall to his fortune.

1626, Nicolas Caussin, translated by T[homas] H[awkins], The Holy Court. Or The Christian Institution of Men of Quality. With Examples of Those, Who in Court Haue Flourished in Sanctity., Paris, page 13

Certainly, though I dare not antedate the ſorrowes of our Syon, or raiſe a feare or iealouſie without a ground; yet when I doe but ſeriouſly and cordially ſuruay, that intollerable pride; that aboundance of idleneſſe; that fulneſſe of bread; that luſting after ſtrange fleſh (the ſinnes that drew downe fire and brimſtone vpon Sodome long agoe;) thoſe monſtrous habites, faſhions and attires: that exceſſiue vanity, Atheiſme and prophaneneſſe: that execrable and frequent banning, ſwearing, curſing and blaſpheming: that greedie couetouſneſſe, extortion and oppreſſion; that fearefull murther and bloudſhed; that ſcurrility, effæminacie, wantonneſſe, fornication, whoredome, adulterie and vncleaneneſſe: that generall neglect, contempt and hatred of God, of grace, of goodneſſe, and the Goſpell: that ſtupified and ſenceleſſe ſecurity, and hardneſſe of heart, in the middeſt of feares and dangers: that degenerating and growing worſe and worſe, not withſtanding all Gods iudgements, which ſtill encreaſe vpon vs, becauſe our ſinnes encreaſe: that diſſoluteneſſe, that drunkenneſſe, deboiſtneſſe, and exceſſe of Healthes; together with thoſe other troopes of ſundry ſinnes, which walke ſo bold and thick among vs, in deſpite of all thoſe meanes which GOD hath vſed to reclaime vs from them: I cannot but conclude as others doe: that theſe abominations and ſinnes of ours (eſpecially in theſe times of feare and danger, which cry and call for true repentance) prognoſticate no victory, no good, no bleſſing, nor ſucceſſe: but vndoubted ruine and deſtruction to vs, vnleſſe we ſpeedily repent vs of them.

1628, William Prynne, Healthes: Sicknesse. Or A Compendious and Briefe discourse; Prouing, the Drinking and Pledging of Healthes, to Be Sinfull, and Vtterly Vnlawfull vnto Christians by Arguments, Scriptures, Fathers, Moderne Diuines, Christian Authors, Historians, Councels; Imperiall Lawes and Constitutions; and by the Voyce and Verdict of Prophane and Heathen Writers: Wherein All Those Ordinary Obiections, Excuses, or Pretences Which Are Made to Iustifie, Extenuate, or Excuse the Drinking or Pledging of Healthes, Are Likewise Cleared and Answered. (no ligatures at EEBO), London: […] [Augustine Mathewes]

I yielded, and unlock'd her all my heart, / Who with a grain of manhood well reſolv'd / Might eaſily have ſhook off all her ſnares: / But foul effeminacy held me yok't / Her Bond-ſlave; […]

1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […]”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J. M[acock] for John Starkey […], pages 30–31, lines 408–412