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efficient

 - 3 dictionary results

ef⋅fi⋅cient

[i-fish-uhnt]
–adjective
1. performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable: a reliable, efficient secretary.
2. satisfactory and economical to use: Our new air conditioner is more efficient than our old one.
3. producing an effect, as a cause; causative.
4. utilizing a particular commodity or product with maximum efficiency (usually used in combination): a fuel-efficient engine.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME (< MF) < L efficient- (s. of efficiēns), equiv. to ef- ef- + fic-, comb. form of facere to make, do 1 + -ent- -ent


ef⋅fi⋅cient⋅ly, adverb


1. effectual. See effective.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ef·fi·cient   (ĭ-fĭsh'ənt)   
adj.  
  1. Acting directly to produce an effect: an efficient cause. See Synonyms at effective.

    1. Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort.

    2. Exhibiting a high ratio of output to input.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin efficiēns, efficient-, present participle of efficere, to effect; see effect.]
ef·fi'cient·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

efficient 
1398, "making," from L. efficientem (nom. efficiens), prp. of efficere "work out, accomplish" (see effect). Meaning "productive, skilled" is from 1787. Efficiency apartment is first recorded 1930, Amer.Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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