Hatrack River Forum: Efficiency vs. Efficience

This is topic Efficiency vs. Efficience - Different? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by reader (Member # 3888) on :

Is "efficience" just an uncommon variant of "efficiency" or does it have a slightly different meaning? Also, is "efficience" just less common than "efficiency," or is it almost totally unused and strange-sounding to the ear?

I've tried to figure this out using google and various online dictionaries, without much success.... Any explanations/knowledge or even educated guesses would be appreciated. [Smile]

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

I've never heard or seen "efficience" before.

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

I have investigated this question according to Grammar-Marxist doctrine, and found that the word 'efficience' has no right to exist under the enlightened rule of the proletariat. Accordingly anyone found using it will be banished to a re-education camp for a period not less than three years. We cannot permit such bourgeois, counter-revolutionary words to corrupt the minds of innocent children.

The People have spoken!

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

(From the Oxford English Dictionary:)

Efficience (obs. or arch.) (pron. eff-ISH-i-ence)

quote:
1. The exercise of efficient power; causative or productive activity.

2. Effectiveness, efficacy.

Efficiency (pron. eff-ISH-i-en-see)

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

b. (obselete)

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

b. pl. Efficient powers or capacities.

So I say that they are the same-ish, although one is obselete.

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

See? Counter-revolutionary reactionism!

Posted by reader (Member # 3888) on :

So "efficience" is obsolete, then? Because I've seen it used in certain contexts, as in "the energy efficience of...." ?? What edition of the Oxford English dictionary termed it obsolete, Teshi?

Edited to add: Also, when I google "efficience" and limit search results to just the English language, and get 50,000+ hits - it doesn't seem to be totally out of use.... ??

[ January 17, 2005, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: reader ]

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

The Second, 1989.

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

Well- I guess that it's perhaps a mispelling?

Posted by reader (Member # 3888) on :

Yes, it's probably just the result of mistakes.... Very disappointing, as I'd wanted to use that word for a phrase where a certain rhyme/rhythm was required, and efficiency just doesn't fit.... [Frown]