Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Effectual \Ef*fec"tu*al\ (?; 135), a. [See Effect, n.]
Producing, or having adequate power or force to produce, an
intended effect; adequate; efficient; operative; decisive.
--Shak.
Effectual steps for the suppression of the rebellion.
--Macaulay.
Effectual calling (Theol.), a doctrine concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in producing conviction of sin and acceptance of salvation by Christ, -- one of the five points of Calvinism. See Calvinism.
Syn: Effectual, Efficacious, Effective.
Usage: An efficacious remedy is had recourse to, and proves
effective if it does decided good, effectual if it
does all the good desired.
--C. J. Smith.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"producing an effect; having power to produce an effect," late 14c., Old French effectuel, from Late Latin effectualis, from Latin effectus "accomplishment, performance" (see effect (n.)). Used properly of actions (not agents) and with a sense "having the effect aimed at" ( effective is used of the thing done or the agent and means "having great effect"). Related: Effectually; effectualness.
Wiktionary
a. Producing the intended result; entirely adequate.
WordNet
adj. sufficient to produce a result; "a man to whom painting was but another and less effectual way of writing dramas or novels or history" [ant: ineffectual]
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law" [syn: effective, efficacious] [ant: ineffective]
exerting or capable of exerting strong physiological or chemical effects; "an effectual vaccine"
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "effectual".
These observations arose out of a motion made by Lord Bathurst, who had been roughly handled by the mob on Friday, for an address praying that his majesty would give immediate orders for prosecuting, in the most effectual manner, the authors, abettors, and instruments of the outrages committed both in the vicinity of the houses of parliament and upon the houses and chapels of the foreign ministers.
It is not designed to circumscribe healthful reproduction, but to serve as an effectual hindrance to abnormal deviations.
In doses of from twenty to sixty drops of the fluid extract, administered in a cup of warm water or herb-tea on going to bed, we have found it very effectual for breaking up recent colds.
If the stomach be irritable, a tablespoonful of laudanum and one of tincture of lobelia, in four ounces of starch water, administered as an injection, is effectual.
Diocletian, still averse to the effusion of blood, had moderated the fury of Galerius, who proposed that every one refusing to offer sacrifice should immediately be burnt alive, the penalties inflicted on the obstinacy of the Christians might be deemed sufficiently rigorous and effectual.
Great Britain, in an indemnification necessary to the effectual carrying on the inquiry now depending in parliament, is an obstruction to justice, and may prove fatal to the liberties of this nation.
On the twenty-seventh of May, his majesty went to the house of peers, and, after having given the royal assent to the bills then depending, thanked his parliament, in a speech from the throne, for their vigorous and effectual support.
The following is a very effectual remedy: take twenty grains of quinine, combined with one drachm of prussiate of iron, and divide it into ten powders, and administer a powder every three hours until the pain is completely arrested.
If eaten in its fresh state, as a salad, it is the most effectual of all the antiscorbutic plants, the leaves being admirable also to cure swollen and spongy gums.
If eaten as a salad in its fresh state it is the most effectual of all the antiscorbutic plants.
Under the preceding reign, Mark, bishop of Arethusa, had labored in the conversion of his people with arms more effectual than those of persuasion.
Just as the lowest forms of life nevertheless present us with all the essential characteristics of livingness, and are as much alive in their own humble way as the most highly developed organisms, so the rudest intentional and effectual communication between two minds through the instrumentality of a concerted symbol is as much language as the most finished oratory of Mr.
But he still possessed the most effectual means of defending his dignity, and perhaps of oppressing his enemies.
The treaty with Gainey put an end to the domestic feuds upon the Pedee, and anxious to regain the local confidence which they had forfeited, numbers of the loyalists of this quarter, following the example of their leader, entered the ranks of the Americans, and though too late to be of effectual service in the war, yet furnished sufficient proofs of their fidelity.
By the frequent repetition of these arts, and at the expense of sums which would have purchased the service of half the nations of Scythia, Julian gradually acquired for his troops the imaginary protection of the gods, and for himself the firm and effectual support of the Roman legions.