Unmanning

adj, noun, verb

adj, noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The removal of manly qualities.

    "Schreber's transformation into a woman begins internally, in terms of thoughts and sensations and nerves. Only then does it begin to manifest itself externally. In this respect, Schreber mentions two brief unmannings in the asylum."

Verb
  1. 1
    present participle and gerund of unman form-of, gerund, participle, present
Adjective
  1. 1
    That destroys manly virtues or qualities; that renders effeminate or helpless.

    "Blanford did not see quite how; but her sweet enthusiasm was so warming, and the tang of her kiss so unmanning that he found himself nodding agreement."

Example

More examples

"Blanford did not see quite how; but her sweet enthusiasm was so warming, and the tang of her kiss so unmanning that he found himself nodding agreement."

Etymology

From unman + -ing.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.