EFFECTIVE

effective

(adjective) existing in fact; not theoretical; real; “a decline in the effective demand”; “confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done”

effective, efficient

(adjective) able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively; “people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons...”-G.B.Shaw; “effective personnel”; “an efficient secretary”; “the efficient cause of the revolution”

effective, good, in effect, in force

(adjective) exerting force or influence; “the law is effective immediately”; “a warranty good for two years”; “the law is already in effect (or in force)”

effective, effectual, efficacious

(adjective) producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; “an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch’s broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation”-LewisMumford; “effective teaching methods”; “effective steps toward peace”; “made an effective entrance”; “his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action”; “an efficacious law”

effective

(adjective) works well as a means or remedy; “an effective reprimand”; “a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat”

effective

(adjective) ready for service; “the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

effective (comparative more effective, superlative most effective)

Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.

Synonym: efficacious

Producing a decided or decisive effect.

Efficient, serviceable, or operative, available for useful work.

Actually in effect.

(geometry, of a cycle or divisor) Having no negative coefficients.

(physics, for any effective theory) approximate; Not describing the fundamental dynamic changes in some system as they happen.

Usage notes

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary from 1913 still lists efficient' and effective as synonyms, but all major dictionaries now show that these words now only have different meanings in careful use. Use of both for the other meaning is however widespread enough that Longman's Exam Dictionary, for example, finds it necessary to proscribe the use of one for the other with several examples at each entry and provides the following summary

• efficient = working quickly and without waste

• effective = having the desired effect

Noun

effective (plural effectives)

(military) a soldier fit for duty

Source: Wiktionary


Ef*fect"ive, a. Etym: [L. effectivus: cf. F. effectif.]

Definition: Having the power to produce an effect or effects; producing a decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable; operative; as, an effective force, remedy, speech; the effective men in a regiment. They are not effective of anything, nor leave no work behind them. Bacon. Whosoever is an effective, real cause of doing his heighbor wrong, is criminal. Jer. Taylor.

Syn.

– Efficient; forcible; active; powerful; energetic; competent. See Effectual.

Ef*fect"ive, n.

1. That which produces a given effect; a cause. Jer. Taylor.

2. One who is capable of active service. He assembled his army -- 20,000 effectives -- at Corinth. W. P. Johnston.

3. Etym: [F. effectif real, effective, real amount.] (Com.)

Definition: Specie or coin, as distinguished from paper currency; -- a term used in many parts of Europe. Simmonds.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 July 2024

CIRCULATE

(verb) move through a space, circuit or system, returning to the starting point; “Blood circulates in my veins”; “The air here does not circulate”


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Coffee Trivia

Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.

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