efficacy

2 definitions found

efficacy - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  efficacy \ef"fi*ca*cy\, n. [L. efficacia, fr. efficax. See
     Efficacious.]
     Power to produce effects; operation or energy of an agent or
     force; production of the effect intended; as, the efficacy of
     medicine in counteracting disease; the efficacy of prayer.
     "Of noxious efficacy." --Milton.
  
     Syn: efficacy.
          [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Virtue; force; energy; potency; efficiency.
          [1913 Webster] efficience

efficacy - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  efficacy
      n 1: capacity or power to produce a desired effect; "concern
           about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine" [syn:
           efficacy, efficaciousness] [ant: inefficaciousness,
           inefficacy]