Etymologically
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effectus

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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]

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