C1 verb Littéraire

unmanfy

/ʌnˈmæn.faɪ/

To deprive someone or something of traditionally masculine qualities, strength, or vigor. It is often used figuratively to describe the process of making a person or a concept appear weak, vulnerable, or less assertive than expected.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

He worried that admitting his fears would unmanfy his image in front of his friends.

He was concerned that showing vulnerability would make him appear less masculine to his peers.

2

The opposition sought to unmanfy the leader's authority by highlighting his recent indecisiveness.

The rivals attempted to weaken the leader's powerful stance by pointing out his lack of resolve.

3

Don't let their teasing unmanfy you; staying true to yourself is real strength.

Do not allow their jokes to make you feel less powerful or confident.

Famille de mots

Nom
unmanfication
Verb
unmanfy
Adjectif
unmanfied
Apparenté
unmanliness
💡

Astuce mémo

Look at the suffix: '-fy' means 'to make'. 'Un-' means 'not'. So, 'un-man-fy' literally means 'to make not a man' (to strip of strength).

Quiz rapide

The general feared that a retreat would _______ his soldiers' courage in the eyes of the enemy.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : unmanfy

Exemples

1

He worried that admitting his fears would unmanfy his image in front of his friends.

everyday

He was concerned that showing vulnerability would make him appear less masculine to his peers.

2

The opposition sought to unmanfy the leader's authority by highlighting his recent indecisiveness.

formal

The rivals attempted to weaken the leader's powerful stance by pointing out his lack of resolve.

3

Don't let their teasing unmanfy you; staying true to yourself is real strength.

informal

Do not allow their jokes to make you feel less powerful or confident.

4

Sociological studies often examine how modern labor conditions can unmanfy the traditional worker archetype.

academic

Academic research looks at how current job environments might strip away traditional traits of strength from workers.

5

The aggressive takeover was intended to unmanfy the smaller company's presence in the market.

business

The hostile acquisition aimed to strip the smaller firm of its competitive strength and influence.

Famille de mots

Nom
unmanfication
Verb
unmanfy
Adjectif
unmanfied
Apparenté
unmanliness

Collocations courantes

unmanfy the resolve to weaken someone's determination
unmanfy his reputation to make someone's status seem less powerful
completely unmanfy to totally strip away strength or masculine traits
unmanfy through fear to use intimidation to make someone lose their confidence
unmanfy the spirit to crush someone's internal drive or courage

Phrases Courantes

to unmanfy the ego

to humble or weaken someone's sense of self-importance

unmanfy the opposition

to render the opposing side powerless

unmanfy by design

intentionally making something or someone appear weaker

Souvent confondu avec

unmanfy vs unmanly

Unmanly is an adjective describing a state, whereas unmanfy is a verb describing the action of making something unmanly.

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Notes d'usage

This is a rare, morphologically derived verb. It is most likely to appear in literary contexts or specialized vocabulary tests that focus on the use of the causative suffix '-fy'.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners often use the adjective 'unmanly' when they actually mean the action (verb) 'unmanfy'. Remember that '-fy' always indicates an action of making or becoming.

💡

Astuce mémo

Look at the suffix: '-fy' means 'to make'. 'Un-' means 'not'. So, 'un-man-fy' literally means 'to make not a man' (to strip of strength).

📖

Origine du mot

Constructed from the English prefix 'un-' (expressing reversal), 'man' (the root), and the suffix '-fy' (from Latin '-ficare', meaning 'to make').

Modèles grammaticaux

The verb follows a regular conjugation: unmanfies (present), unmanfied (past), unmanfying (present participle). It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object.
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Contexte culturel

The word relies on traditional, often dated, gender norms where 'manliness' is synonymous with power and emotional stoicism.

Quiz rapide

The general feared that a retreat would _______ his soldiers' courage in the eyes of the enemy.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : unmanfy

Mots lis

bolster

C1

To support, strengthen, or provide additional evidence for something, making it more effective or resilient. In an academic or professional context, it often refers to reinforcing an argument, a theory, or a financial position.

bonanza

C1

A situation which creates very sudden wealth, luck, or fortune, often on a large scale. It is frequently used to describe a source of great profit or a sudden windfall in business or natural resources.

botch

C1

A botch refers to a piece of work that has been performed poorly, clumsily, or carelessly, resulting in a failed or messy outcome. It often describes a task that was attempted without the necessary skill or attention to detail, leading to a ruined result.

bout

C1

A brief period of intense activity, or a specific occurrence of something, such as an illness or a strong emotion. It is frequently used to describe a temporary struggle or a competitive match in sports like boxing.

brazen

C1

Brazen describes behavior that is bold, shameless, and often shocking because it ignores traditional rules of conduct or morality. It is frequently used when someone does something wrong but makes no effort to hide their actions.

brilliant

C1

Exceptionally clever, talented, or impressive in intellectual or creative pursuits. It can also describe something that shines with extreme brightness or intense color, often signifying superior quality or clarity.

bristle

C1

A short, stiff hair, typically one of those on an animal's skin, a man's face, or a brush. In a scientific or academic context, it refers to any stiff, hair-like structure on an organism.

brochure

C1

A small booklet or pamphlet containing pictures and information about a product, service, or location. It is typically used for advertising or to provide detailed information to a specific audience in a compact format.

browse

C1

In an informational context, a browse is an exploratory, non-linear act of surveying data or items without a specific target. In ecology, it refers to the edible parts of woody plants, such as twigs and shoots, which serve as a primary food source for herbivores.

bulge

C1

To swell or protrude outward beyond the normal surface, typically due to internal pressure or being overfilled. In a broader sense, it can describe a sudden, temporary increase in volume, quantity, or statistical data within a specific segment.

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