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effectivus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word effectivus

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Quintilian
Ultimate origin
Latin (faciō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɛf.fɛkˈtiː.wʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ef.fekˈtiː.vus][1]

Forms

effectīvus (feminine effectīva, neuter effectīvum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from efficiō “to bring about”, through its participle ⟨effectus⟩, with the suffix -īvus.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Quintilian, of an art with an end product.[2] Köbler's first source is Augustine.[4]

Semantic evolution

In philosophy it meant involving an end product, creative, and Quintilian has effectīva (ars), a practical art.[2][5] The land surveyors used it of practical implementation, and Augustine and Boethius of productive causes.[2][5][6]

British Medieval Latin used it for effective, productive, in philosophy and grammar, and Bede uses it.[7][4] Through Old French effectif it gave English effective in the late 14th century, “serving to effect the intended purpose”.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it.[2][4]
  • 354–430 AD – Augustine uses it.[5][4]
  • late 14th century – English effective is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Productive, creative; practical.[2][5]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Effective.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
Cite this entry

“Effectivus.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/effectivus. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·