Etymologically
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efficio

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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

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