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Efficient; vigorous; brilliant. "The stars shine smarter." Dryden.

Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or result. Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular tendency to the good of their country. Addison. In every experimental science, there is a tendency toward perf…

a. from Trim, v. The Whigs are, essentially, an inefficient, trimming, halfway sort of a party. Jeffrey. Trimming joist (Arch.), a joist into which timber trimmers are framed; a header. See Header. Knight.

A numerical coefficient in any particular case of the binomial theorem. [Obs.]

To perform inefficiently, as a play; to act feebly.

Strong; powerful; efficient. [Obs.] "Perhaps more valid arms . . . may serve to better us." Milton.

for another; as, a vicarious agent or officer. The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient, and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty. Sir M. Hale.