- Effect
- 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]
That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Manifestation; expression; sign. [1913 Webster]
All the large effects That troop with majesty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]
4. Impression left on the mind; sensation produced. [1913 Webster]
Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect. --J. C. Shairp. [1913 Webster]
The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]
5. Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect. [1913 Webster]
6. Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; -- with to. [1913 Webster]
They spake to her to that effect. --2 Chron. xxxiv. 22. [1913 Webster]
7. The purport; the sum and substance. ``The effect of his intent.'' --Chaucer.
8. Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance. [1913 Webster]
No other in effect than what it seems. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
{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. [1913 Webster]
Resolving all events, with their effects And manifold results, into the will And arbitration wise of the Supreme. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
Shun the bitter consequence, for know, The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
