Effect - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Effect :  (noun)
1: a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon; "the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"; "his decision had depressing consequences for business"; "he acted very wise after the event" [syn: consequence, outcome, result, event, issue, upshot]
2: an outward appearance; "he made a good impression"; "I wanted to create an impression of success"; "she retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting" [syn: impression]
3: (of a law) having legal validity; "the law is still in effect" [syn: force]
4: a symptom caused by an illness or a drug; "the effects of sleep loss"; "the effect of the anesthetic"
5: an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived); "he just did it for effect"
6: the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work [syn: essence, burden, core, gist] (verb)
1: produce; "The scientists set up a shockwave" [syn: effectuate, bring about, set up]
2: act so as to bring into existence; "effect a change"

Based on WordNet 2.0

Effect : \Ef*fect"\, n. [L. effectus, fr. efficere, effectum, to effect; ex _ facere to make: cf. F. effet, formerly also spelled effect. See Fact.] 1. Execution; performance; realization; operation; as, the law goes into effect in May.

That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it. --Shak.

2. Manifestation; expression; sign.

All the large effects That troop with majesty. --Shak.

3. In general: That which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent, called the cause; result; consequence; outcome; fruit; as, the effect of luxury.

The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause. --Whewell.

4. Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.

Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect. --J. C. Shairp.

The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place. --W. Irving.

5. Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect.

6. Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; --
with to.

They spake to her to that effect. --2 Chron. xxxiv. 22.

7. The purport; the sum and substance. ``The effect of his intent.'' --Chaucer.

8. Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.

No other in effect than what it seems. --Denham.

9. pl. Goods; movables; personal estate; -- sometimes used to embrace real as well as personal property; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects.

For effect, for an exaggerated impression or excitement.

In effect, in fact; in substance. See 8, above.

Of no effect, Of none effect, To no effect, or Without effect, destitute of results, validity, force, and the like; vain; fruitless. ``Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition.'' --Mark vii. 13. ``All my study be to no effect.'' --Shak.

To give effect to, to make valid; to carry out in practice; to push to its results.

To take effect, to become operative, to accomplish aims. --Shak.

Syn: Effect, Consequence, Result.

Usage: These words indicate things which arise out of some antecedent, or follow as a consequent. Effect, which may be regarded as the generic term, denotes that which springs directly from something which can properly be termed a cause. A consequence is more remote, not being strictly caused, nor yet a mere sequence, but following out of and following indirectly, or in the train of events, something on which it truly depends. A result is still more remote and variable, like the rebound of an elastic body which falls in very different directions. We may foresee the effects of a measure, may conjecture its consequences, but can rarely discover its final results.

Resolving all events, with their effects And manifold results, into the will And arbitration wise of the Supreme. --Cowper.

Shun the bitter consequence, for know, The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die. --Milton.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Effect : \Ef*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Effected; p. pr. & vb. n. Effecting.] 1. To produce, as a cause or agent; to cause to be.

So great a body such exploits to effect. --Daniel.

2. To bring to pass; to execute; to enforce; to achieve; to accomplish.

To effect that which the divine counsels had decreed. --Bp. Hurd.

They sailed away without effecting their purpose. --Jowett (Th. ).

Syn: To accomplish; fulfill; achieve; complete; execute; perform; attain. See Accomplish.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

EFFECT. The operation of a law, of an agreement, or an act, is called its effect. 2. By the laws of the United States, a patent cannot be granted for an Effect : only, but it may be for a new mode or application of machinery to produce effects. 1 Gallis. 478; see 4 Mason, 1; Pet. C. C. R. 394; 2 N. H. R. 61.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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