efficio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛfˈfɪ.ki.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [efˈfiː.t͡ʃi.o]^[1]

Forms

efficiō (present infinitive efficere, perfect active effēcī, supine effectum); third (-iō variant) conjugation^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin ex- (“out”) + faciō (“to make, do”), also spelled ⟨ecficiō⟩.^[2][1] The verb faciō is inherited from Proto-Italic *fak-i-, from the PIE root Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put”), whose k arose in the root aorist.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus uses it, with an old perfect subjunctive effexis.^[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to make or construct, and above all to bring about a result, and with ut to bring it about that something happens.^[2] Of things it meant to form a shape or feature, as an island forms a harbour; of plants and animals, to yield or produce; of parts, to make up a whole; and to make up a number, as of soldiers.^[2] In philosophy it meant to prove or deduce.^[1]

Its participle noun effectus “accomplishment” gave Old French efet and English effect in the mid-14th century.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses the perfect subjunctive effexis.^[2][5]
• 234–149 BC – Cato says an olive tree will yield more oil.^[2][5]
• 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of bringing about a marriage.^[2][5]
• mid-14th century – English effect is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Verb

1. To make, construct.^[2]
2. To bring about, effect, accomplish.^[2]
3. To bring it about that (with ut or nē).^[2]
4. To form (a shape or feature).^[2]
5. To yield, produce.^[2]
6. To make up, constitute; to make up a number.^[2]
7. (philosophy) To prove, deduce.^[1]

Word family

• effectiō
• effectīvus
• effector
• effectrix
• effectum
• effectus
• efficāx
• efficientia
• ineffectus
• effectē
• efficiēns
• efficienter

Related words

• effectōrius
• efficācia
• efficācitās
• efficāciter
• faciō
• English effect
• English efficient
• English efficacy

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com