effectualis

Forms

effectuālis, -e; third declension^[1][2]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin effectus + -ālis, from effectus (“accomplishment, result”).^[2][1] Etymonline calls it Late Latin;^[3] the MLW and Köbler treat it as a medieval word.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first record to the 11th century.^[1] The MLW's earliest quotation says of a man that his learning grew not by showy knowledge but by unceasing effectualis practice, that is, by learning put into effect.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The adjective meant “having effect, efficacious”.^[2][4] British writers also used it in law for a plea or act that was valid, and as a noun for a valid plea; in scholastic philosophy it described what happens by way of effect, as opposed to cause.^[4] In the MLW its adverb effectualiter means “in practice, in the carrying out”.^[2]

Hungarian charters use it of a real, actual execution of an order, and in law of a final term that allows no further delay;^[5] Polish texts from the 15th and 16th centuries have it in the sense “real, actual”.^[6] Old French took it over as effectuel, the source of English effectual.^[3]

Timeline

• 11th century – First recorded, according to Köbler.^[1]
• late 14th century – English borrows effectual through Old French.^[3]
• 1402 – A Hungarian charter speaks of the effectualis executio of a royal mandate.^[5]
• 1414 – A British document uses it of business that would have real effect.^[4]
• 1429 – A Polish record speaks of the actual possession of goods.^[6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Effective, efficacious, producing the intended result.^[2][4][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) Real, actual.^[5][6][7]
3. (Medieval Latin, law) Valid; of a term, final, admitting no further delay.^[4][5]
4. (Medieval Latin, philosophy) Occurring by way of effect.^[4]

Related words

• efficio
• English effectual

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f g Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e f 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
5. ^ a b c d Bartal, Antal, et al. (1987–), Lexicon Latinitatis Medii Aevi Hungariae, Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; online ed. ELTE
6. ^ a b c Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
7. ^ Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences