[ad. L. efficientia; see prec. and -ENCY.]

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  1.  The fact of being an operative agent or efficient cause. Now only in philosophical use.

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1593.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. i. The manner of this deuine effeciencie being farre above us.

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1628.  T. Spencer, Logick, 31–2. God is sayd to be the Efficient Cause of man: the office of this efficiency, is placed in ioyning the forme vnto the matter.

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1676.  Hale, Contempl., I. 365. The Efficiency and Energy of the Principal Cause is that which gives efficacy to the Means and makes it effectual.

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1695.  Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, I. (1723), 56. [Gravity of Bodyes] does not proceed from the Efficiency of any such contingent and unstable Agents.

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1870.  Bowen, Logic, xii. 417. Constancy of sequence is no certain indication of causal efficiency.

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  † b.  The action of an operative agent or efficient cause; production, causation, creation. Obs.

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1663.  J. Spencer, Prodigies (1665), 221. These Prodigies are of Diabolical efficiency.

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1677.  Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., IV. vii. 350. That Power and Wisdom … were equal to the formation and efficiency of the Sun.

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1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 576. These Ancient Pagans … used it [Creare] generally, for all manner of Production or Efficiency.

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  2.  Fitness or power to accomplish, or success in accomplishing, the purpose intended; adequate power, effectiveness, efficacy.

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1633.  Ames, Agst. Cerem., I. 49. The very frame of it … had an efficiency … to cary up the heart to God.

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1818–60.  Whately, Comm.-pl. Bk. (1864), 76. The penalty annexed to any law is an instance, not of its efficiency, but … of its failure.

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1858.  Buckle, Civiliz. (1873), II. viii. 556. The navy was … more than doubled in efficiency.

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1859.  Mill, Liberty, v. (1865), 67/2. The greatest dissemination of power consistent with efficiency.

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1863.  Fawcett, Pol. Econ., II. v. 193. That nothing more powerfully promotes the efficiency of labour than an abundance of fertile land.

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  b.  pl. Efficient powers or capacities.

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1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. xi. 46. The production of effects beyond their created efficiencies.

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