womanish
Meaning
(of a man or his behavior) resembling or characteristic of a woman, often in a way that is considered inappropriate or undesirable.
(of things) suitable for or typical of a woman.
Structure
Usage
he was criticized for his womanish mannerisms by his overly traditional father.
the room was decorated in a womanish style, with delicate fabrics and floral patterns.
such womanish fears are unbecoming of a soldier, he was told sternly.
Etymology
The word 'womanish' is a straightforward English formation, combining the noun 'woman' with the productive adjectival suffix '-ish'. The Old English root 'wīfmann' originally meant 'female person', with 'wīf' denoting 'woman' or 'wife' and 'mann' meaning 'human' or 'person'. The suffix '-ish', of Germanic origin, is used to form adjectives meaning 'of the nature of' or 'resembling'. Therefore, the literal construction 'woman-ish' means 'having the qualities of a woman'. Over time, the term has acquired a specific, often pejorative, connotation when applied to men, reflecting societal attitudes towards gender expression, while its neutral application to objects or attributes simply denotes suitability for women.
Analysis
woman (from old english 'wīfmann', compound of 'wīf' (woman) and 'mann' (person)); ish (from old english '-isc', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'having the character of' or 'belonging to').