efficiency English · revision 5601

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1593|origins=la efficere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/, /əˈfɪʃ.ən.si/, US /ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|efficientia|t=efficient power, influence]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from efficiēns, the present participle of [[m|la|efficere|t=to bring about, accomplish]].^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) See [[efficient]] and [[effect]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The fact of being an efficient cause, the power to bring something about: 1593.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline has the 1590s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Fitness or power to accomplish a purpose is from 1633.^(OED 1989) In mechanics, the ratio of useful work done to energy expended is from 1855 in the OED and 1858 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The economic sense is from 1906.^(OED 1989) An ''efficiency apartment'', a small flat, is from 1917, and ''efficiency'' alone for one from 1951.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1593 – power to bring about.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1633 – fitness for a purpose.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1855 – in mechanics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1906 – in economics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1951 – an efficiency apartment.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of doing something well without wasting time, money or energy.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The ratio of the useful work done by a [[machine]] to the [[energy]] put into it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(US)'' A small apartment with limited facilities.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonefficiency]]

+ * [[superefficiency]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[effect]]

+ * [[effective]]

+ * [[effector]]

+ * [[effectual]]

+ * [[effectuate]]

+ * [[efficacious]]

+ * [[efficacity]]

+ * [[efficacy]]

+ * [[efficient]]

+ * [[inefficiency]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}