in-effectual

in·ef·fec·tu·al

[in-i-fek-choo-uhl]
adjective
1.
not effectual; without satisfactory or decisive effect: an ineffectual remedy.
2.
unavailing; futile: His efforts to sell the house were ineffectual.
3.
powerless; impotent.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English; see in-3, effectual

Related forms
in·ef·fec·tu·al·i·ty, in·ef·fec·tu·al·ness, noun
in·ef·fec·tu·al·ly, adverb

Synonyms
2. ineffective, fruitless, pointless, abortive. See useless. 3. feeble, weak.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
ineffectual (ˌɪnɪˈfɛktʃʊəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
1.  having no effect or an inadequate effect
2.  lacking in power or forcefulness; impotent: an ineffectual ruler
 
ineffectu'ality
 
—n
 
inef'fectualness
 
—n
 
inef'fectually
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

ineffectual
early 15c., from in- "not" + effectual (see effect).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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