different between efficiency vs knack

English

Etymology

From Latin efficientia.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??f??n?si/

Noun

efficiency (countable and uncountable, plural efficiencies)

1. The extent to which time is well used for the intended task.

   Antonyms: inefficiency, wastefulness
2. (dated) The quality of producing an effect or effects.
   • 1594, Richard Hooker, Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie

     The manner of this divine efficiency being far above us.

3. The extent to which a resource, such as electricity, is used for the intended purpose; the ratio of useful work to energy expended.

   Antonyms: inefficiency, wastefulness

4. (US) A one-room apartment.

   Synonyms: efficiency apartment, (UK, Ireland) bedsit

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

• efficiency on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

English

Etymology

Use as "special skill" from 1580. Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak (“a sharp blow”), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German, by onomatopoeia. Latter cognate to German knacken (“to crack”). See also crack.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /næk/
• Audio (UK)

• Rhymes: -æk

Noun

knack (plural knacks)

1. A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something. [from 1580]

   Synonyms: skill, facility, dexterity

   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 254a.

     The sophist runs for cover to the darkness of what is not and attaches himself to it by some knack of his;
2. A petty contrivance; a toy.

   Synonyms: plaything, knickknack, toy

3. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity. [from mid 14th c.]

   Synonyms: trick, device

Derived terms

• knackless

Translations

Verb

knack (third-person singular simple present knacks, present participle knacking, simple past and past participle knacked)

1. (obsolete, Britain, dialect) To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise; to chink.
2. To speak affectedly.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Halliwell to this entry?)

Translations

References