Obs. or arch. [ad. L. efficientia, noun of quality f. efficiens: see EFFICIENT and -ENCE.]

1

  1.  The exercise of efficient power; causative or productive activity.

2

1669.  Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. III. iii. 37. The first piece of this Divine efficience is … referred to the Divine Ideas.

3

a. 1680.  J. Corbet, Free Actions, I. § 1. God’s Efficience is concern’d in the Event decreed.

4

1794.  Mrs. Piozzi, Synon., I. 319. The surprising efficience of two bodies … to produce a third unknown before.

5

  2.  Effectiveness, efficacy.

6

1865.  Sir J. K. James, Tasso, II. XII. xxviii. Do thou for her with such efficience pray.

7