effective English · revision 2827

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=la efficiō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪˈfek.tɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|effective]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|frm|effectif]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la-lat|effectīvus|t=productive, effective]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|la|effectus]], past participle of [[m|la|efficere|t=to work out, accomplish, bring about]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[effect]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Serving to bring about an intended purpose: the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) the 14th century in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024) The OED's earliest sense, “having the function of carrying into effect”, is from about 1425.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “concerned in producing an event or condition” is from 1594,^(OED 1989) and “having an effect, attended with a result” from 1760.^(OED 1989) Of military forces, “fit for duty or action”, it is from the 1680s,^(Etymonline) and the noun, a soldier fit for service, is from 1722.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024) In mechanics and economics, ''effective'' described the part of a force that does useful work, from 1798.^(OED 1989) ''Effective range'', the distance at which a weapon works, is from 1859.^(OED 1989) “In effect, in operation”, as in a law ''effective from'' a date, and “existing in fact, actual” are also current senses.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) “Producing a strong impression; striking” is another.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – executing, accomplishing.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1594 – producing an event or condition.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1680s – of soldiers, fit for duty.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1722 – noun, a soldier fit for service.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1760 – having an effect.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1859 – ''effective range''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Producing the intended or expected result.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Making a strong impression; [[striking]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In [[operation]]; in force: ''effective from Monday''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Existing in fact; [[actual]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Ready for service or action, especially in war.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A soldier or piece of military equipment ready for combat.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[effectiveness]]

+ * [[effectivity]]

+ * [[effectively]]

+ * [[ineffective]]

+ * [[noneffective]]

+ * [[subeffective]]

+ * [[supereffective]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[effect]]

+ * [[effectual]]

+ * [[efficacious]]

+ * [[efficacity]]

+ * [[efficacy]]

+ * [[efficiency]]

+ * [[efficient]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Effective'', ''effectual'', ''efficacious'' and ''efficient'' all mean “producing a desired effect”.^(AHD) ''Effective'' and ''efficacious'' stress the power to produce it, ''effectual'' is used chiefly of the result, and ''efficient'' also implies a minimum of effort or waste.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}