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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

15 words match “INEFFICIENT”

INEFFICIENT a. 2 definitions
Not efficient; not producing the effect intended or desired; inefficacious; as, inefficient means or measures.
INEFFICIENTLY adv.
In an inefficient manner.
DUFFER n.
A stupid, awkward, inefficient person.[Slang]
INCAPABLE n.
One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.
INEFFECTIVE a.
Not effective; ineffectual; futile; inefficient; useless; as, an ineffective appeal. The word of God, without the spirit, [is] a dead and ineffective letter. Jer. Taylor.
INEFFECTIVELY adv.
In an ineffective manner; without effect; inefficiently; ineffectually.
INEFFECTUAL a.
Not producing the proper effect; without effect; inefficient; weak; useless; futile; unavailing; as, an ineffectual attempt; an ineffectual expedient. Pope. The peony root has been much commended, . . . and yet has been by many found ineffectual. Boyle.
INEFFICACIOUS a.
Not efficacious; not having power to produce the effect desired; inadequate; incompetent; inefficient; impotent. Boyle. The authority of Parliament must become inefficacious . . . to restrain the growth of disorders. Burke.
INEFFICIENCY n.
The quality of being inefficient; want of power or energy sufficient; want of power or energy sufficient for the desired effect; inefficacy; incapacity; as, he was discharged from his position for inefficiency.
LAME a.
Hence, hobbling; limping; inefficient; imperfect. "A lame endeavor." Barrow. O, most lame and impotent conclusion! Shak. Lame duck (stock Exchange), a person who can not fulfill his contracts. [Cant]
MEASURE n.
esigned for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure. His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error. Clarendon.
PUTTER v.
To act inefficiently or idly; to trifle; to potter.
SILENT a.
Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.] Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead. Sir W. Raleigh. Silent partner. See Dormant partner, under Dormant.
TRIMMING n.
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.
UNDERACT v.
To perform inefficiently, as a play; to act feebly.