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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Inefficacy

Inefficacy \In*ef"fi*ca*cy\, n. [L. inefficacia. See In- not, and Efficacy.] Lack of power to produce the desired or proper effect; inefficiency; ineffectualness; futility; uselessness; fruitlessness; as, the inefficacy of medicines or means.

The seeming inefficacy of censures.
--Bp. Hall.

The inefficacy was soon proved, like that of many similar medicines.
--James Gregory.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
inefficacy

"want of force or virtue to produce the desired effect," 1610s, from Late Latin inefficacia, from inefficacem (nominative inefficax), from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + efficax (see efficacy).

Wiktionary
inefficacy

n. The condition of being ineffective

WordNet
inefficacy

n. a lack of efficacy [syn: inefficaciousness] [ant: efficacy]

Usage examples of "inefficacy".

Physic, and on the exercise of which depends his support in life, proclaim the inefficacy of his art, and recommend a remedy to his patient which the most unlettered in society can employ as advantageously as himself?

Yours faithfully, OMNIUM When the Duke said that he feared that his wishes were not understood, and spoke of the inefficacy of his former declaration, he was alluding of course to the Duchess and to Mr Sprugeon.

Supposing this person, wearied at the inefficacy of the poison, should, as Monte Cristo intimated, have recourse to steel!

But Bentham has said: Every time that punishment is inflicted it proves its inefficacy, for it did not prevent the committal of that crime.

And if you wish to have a very convincing illustration of the psychological inefficacy of legal threats, you have but to think of that curious crime which has now assumed a frequency never known to former centuries, namely the making of counterfeit money.

The fabled Effie was living in rented rooms, complaining of the cost of green peas, not diamonds, and before too long complaining of the inefficacy of the medical profession.