without the ability to achieve much; weak; not achieving what you want to 无能的;软弱的;达不到目的的 He plays the role of a blustering and ineffectual teacher. 他扮演一个咆哮而无能的老师。 an ineffectual attempt to reform the law 改革法律的徒劳无益的尝试
Extra ExamplesTopics Change, cause and effectc2, Difficulty and failurec2If only the head of department weren't so ineffectual. 要是部门主管不那么无能就好了。 My experience on the committees has shown me how slow and ineffectual they are. 我在委员会的经验告诉我,他们是多么缓慢和无效。 She made an ineffectual grab at the book. 她去抓那本书,但没抓到。 The president is seen as weak and ineffectual. 总统被视为软弱无能。
Word Originlate Middle English: from medieval Latin ineffectualis, from in- ‘not’ + effectualis, from Latin effectus (from efficere ‘accomplish’, from ex- ‘out, thoroughly’ + facere ‘do, make’); in later use from in- ‘not’ + effectual.