effectual

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English effectual, effectuel, from Old French effectuel, from Late Latin effectualis.

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

effectual (comparative more effectual, superlative most effectual)

  1. Producing the intended result; entirely adequate.
    • 1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: [] G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] [], →OCLC:
      Redoubling, then, the active energy of his thrusts, favoured by the fervid appetite of my motions, the soft oiled wards can no longer stand so effectual a picklock, but yield, and open him an entrance.
    • 1822, John Barclay, chapter I, in An Inquiry Into the Opinions, Ancient and Modern, Concerning Life and Organization[1], Edinburgh, London: Bell & Bradfute; Waugh & Innes; G. & W. B. Whittaker, section I, page 1:
      In the living state, the body is observed to […] adopt most effectual measures for the permanent continuance of its species.

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