inefficacy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the inability to produce the intended result; lack of effectiveness

   The trial exposed the inefficacy of ginger as a remedy for her cough.

Formed from the negative prefix in- + efficacy. Efficacy comes through Latin efficacia, 'power to accomplish,' from efficax, 'effective,' ultimately based on efficere, 'to bring about.' Inefficacy therefore names the absence of power to produce a result.

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