n.
Pronunciation: i- ' fekt, e-, ē -, ə -
Function: 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 effect ― Current Biog. >
6 plural : movable property : GOODS <personal effect s >
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>
– in effect : in substance : VIRTUALLY <the ⋯ committee agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage ― Current Biog. >
– to the effect : with the meaning <issued a statement to the effect that he would resign>