effete

The definition of effete is someone who lacks vigor or is too soft or over refined, or something that is no longer producing.

(adjective)

When no one listens to the leader of the group any more and his power has essentially diminished to nothing, this is an example of an effete leader.
When academics think that they are intellectually superior to everyone, this is an example of when they might be described as effete.

See effete in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

no longer capable of producing; spent and sterile
lacking vigor, force of character, moral stamina, etc.; decadent, soft, overrefined, etc.

Origin: L effetus, that has brought forth offspring, exhausted < ex-, out + fetus, productive: for IE base see female

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See effete in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness; exhausted: the final, effete period of the baroque style.
Marked by self-indulgence, triviality, or decadence: an effete group of self-professed intellectuals.
Overrefined; effeminate.
No longer productive; infertile.

Origin:

Origin: Latin effētus, worn out, exhausted

Origin: : ex-, ex-

Origin: + fētus, bearing young, pregnant; see dhē(i)- in Indo-European roots

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