Etymologically
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efficientia

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:04. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɛf.fɪ.kiˈɛn.ti.a][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ef.fi.t͡ʃiˈɛn.t͡si.a][1]

Forms

efficientia f (genitive efficientiae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is from ⟨efficiēns⟩, the present participle of efficiō “to bring about”, with the suffix -ia.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and Cicero uses it of the power of the sun.[4][5][6]

Semantic evolution

It meant efficient power, the capacity to produce an effect, influence, mostly in philosophical language, as in Cicero's De natura deorum and De fato.[2][5][6]

British Medieval Latin glossaries explain it as operation, effect.[7] It gave English efficiency in the 1590s, “power to accomplish something”.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[4][6]
  • 1590s – English efficiency is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Efficient power, influence, efficiency.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ 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