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Webster 1913 Edition
Inefficacious
In-efˊfi-ca′cious
,Adj.
[Pref.
in-
not + efficacious
: cf. F. inefficace
, L. inefficax
.] Not efficacious; not having power to produce the effect desired; inadequate; incompetent; inefficient; impotent.
Boyle.
The authority of Parliament must become
inefficacious
. . . to restrain the growth of disorders. Burke.
☞ Ineffectual, says Johnson, rather denotes an actual failure, and inefficacious an habitual impotence to any effect. But the distinction is not always observed, nor can it be; for we can not always know whether means are inefficacious till experiment has proved them ineffectual. Inefficacious is therefore sometimes synonymous with ineffectual.
Webster 1828 Edition
Inefficacious
INEFFICA'CIOUS
,Adj.
Not efficacious; not having power to produce the effect desired, or the proper effect; of inadequate power or force.
Ineffectual, says Johnson, rather denotes an actual failure, and inefficacious, an habitual impotence to any effect. But the distinction is not always observed, nor can it be; for we cannot always know whether means are inefficacious, till experiment has proved them ineffectual; nor even then, for we cannot be certain that the failure of means to produce an effect is to be attributed to habitual want of power, or to accidental and temporary causes.
Inefficacious is therefore sometimes synonymous with ineffectual.
Definition 2024
inefficacious
inefficacious
English
Adjective
inefficacious (comparative more inefficacious, superlative most inefficacious)
- Incapable of having the intended consequence.
- Not effective.