Emasculating

ppl. a. [f. as prec. + -ING¹.] fig. That deprives of vigor or manliness; weakening, enfeebling.

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1741. Betterton, in Oldys, Eng. Stage, ii. 26. Opera … with its emasculating sounds.

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1803. Wordsw., Sonn. Lib., England! the time is come. Wean Thy heart from its emasculating food.

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1860. Smiles, Self-Help., xi. 284. The habit of intellectual dissipation … cannot fail … to produce a thoroughly emasculating effect.

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