effect

effect
I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin effectus, from efficere to bring about, from ex- + facere to make, do — more at do Date: 14th century 1. a. purport, intent b. basic meaning ; essence 2. something that inevitably follows an antecedent (as a cause or agent) 3. an outward sign ; appearance 4. accomplishment, fulfillment 5. power to bring about a result ; influence <
the content itself of television…is therefore less important than its effectCurrent Biography
>
6. plural movable property ; goods <
personal effects
>
7. a. a distinctive impression <
the color gives the effect of being warm
>
b. the creation of a desired impression <
her tears were purely for effect
>
c. (1) something designed to produce a distinctive or desired impression — usually used in plural (2) plural special effects 8. the quality or state of being operative ; operation <
the law goes into effect next week
>
II. transitive verb Date: 1533 1. to cause to come into being 2. a. to bring about often by surmounting obstacles ; accomplish <
effect a settlement of a dispute
>
b. to put into operation <
the duty of the legislature to effect the will of the citizens
>
Synonyms: see perform Usage: Effect and affect are often confused because of their similar spelling and pronunciation. The verb 2affect usually has to do with pretense <
she affected a cheery disposition despite feeling down
>
. The more common 3affect denotes having an effect or influence <
the weather affected everyone's mood
>
. The verb effect goes beyond mere influence; it refers to actual achievement of a final result <
the new administration hopes to effect a peace settlement
>
. The uncommon noun affect, which has a meaning relating to psychology, is also sometimes mistakenly used for the very common effect. In ordinary use, the noun you will want is effect <
waiting for the new law to take effect
>
<
the weather had an effect on everyone's mood
>
.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • 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. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • effect — ef·fect 1 n 1: something that is produced by an agent or cause 2 pl: personal property (1) at property: goods …   Law dictionary

  • effect — n 1 Effect, result, consequence, upshot, aftereffect, aftermath, sequel, issue, outcome, event are comparable in signifying something, usually a condition, situation, or occurrence, ascribable to a cause or combination of causes. Effect is the… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • effect — [e fekt′, ifekt′; ] often [ ēfekt′, əfekt′] n. [ME < OFr (& L) < L effectus, orig., pp. of efficere, to bring to pass, accomplish < ex , out + facere, DO1] 1. anything brought about by a cause or agent; result 2. the power or ability to… …   English World dictionary

  • effect — que l art fait, Effectio artis. Effect et pouvoir, Effectus. Homme de peu d effect, Parum efficax homo. Tout l effect d amitié git en mesme vouloir, Vis amicitiae est in animorum consensione. Laquelle signification approcha si trespres de l… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • effect — ► NOUN 1) a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. 2) the state of being or becoming operative. 3) the extent to which something succeeds or is operative: wind power can be used to great effect. 4) (effects) personal …   English terms dictionary

  • Effect — Effect, Wirkung, Erfolg, wird besonders von einer erhöhten, einer überraschenden Wirkung gebraucht. In der Kunst darf der Künstler wohl den Effect anbringen, jedoch ohne die Harmonie der einzelnen Theile unter einander zu stören; er darf nicht… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Effect — Effect, from Latin effectus performance, accomplishment can be used in various meanings: * Any result of another action or circumstance (see pragma , phenomenon, list of effects); * Cause and effect are the relata of causality; * In movies and… …   Wikipedia

  • effect — [n1] result aftereffect, aftermath, backlash, backwash, can of worms*, causatum, chain reaction*, conclusion, consequence, corollary, denouement, development, end, end product, event, eventuality, fallout, flak*, follow through, follow up, fruit …   New thesaurus

  • 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. [1913 Webster] So great a body such exploits to effect. Daniel. [1913 Webster] 2. To bring to pass; to execute; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • effect — (n.) late 14c., a result, from O.Fr. efet (13c., Mod.Fr. effet) result, execution, completion, ending, from L. effectus accomplishment, performance, from pp. stem of efficere work out, accomplish, from ex out (see EX (Cf. ex )) + facere to do… …   Etymology dictionary

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