effectus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛfˈfɛk.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [efˈfɛk.tus]^[1]

Forms

effectus m (genitive effectūs); fourth declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin efficiō (“to bring about”) + -tus, an action noun.^[2][1][3] Efficiō is from ex- and faciō “to make”, which de Vaan traces to Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₁-k- (“to make”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put”).^[4][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLL dates its appearance to about 45 BC, in Cicero, Varro and Plancus.^[3] Cicero says that in lust there is wrongdoing even without its accomplishment.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant the carrying out of a purpose or task, accomplishment, as Livy's daring attempt and achievement of crossing the Alps.^[2][5] It also meant the result or effect, sine effectu “without result”, and a mode of operation, as the visible workings of the gods in Vitruvius.^[2]

Seneca uses it of the making of a living creature.^[2] The TLL says it was used through all Latinity and was popular with later and Christian authors.^[3] English effect came from it through Old French in the mid-14th century.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 45 BC – Cicero and Varro begin to use it.^[3]
• 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of carrying out a plan.^[5][7]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of the making of a living being.^[2][7]
• mid-14th century – English effect is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. Making, creation.^[2]
2. Execution, accomplishment, performance.^[2][1]
3. An effect, result, outcome, sine effectu, without result.^[2][1]
4. Operation, mode of action.^[2][1]

Related words

• efficio
• English effect

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de