[ef.fect] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L effectus, fr. efficere to bring about, fr. ex- + facere to make, do--more at do] (14c) 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 ~ --Current Biog."
6. pl: movable property: goods "personal ~s"
7. a: a distinctive impression "the color gives the ~ of being warm" b: the creation of a desired impression "her tears were purely for ~" c (1): something designed to produce a distinctive or desired impression--usu. used in pl. (2) pl: special effects 8: the quality or state of being operative: operation "the law goes into ~ 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"
[2]effect vt (1533) 1: to cause to come into being
2. a: to bring about often by surmounting obstacles: accomplish "~ a settlement of a dispute" b: to put into effect "the duty of the legislature to ~ the will of the citizens" syn see perform usage The confusion of the verbs affect and effect is not only quite common but has a long history. Effect was used in place of [3]affect as early as 1494 and in place of
[2]affect as early as 1652. If you think you want to use the verb effect but are not certain, check the definitions in this dictionary. The noun affect is sometimes mistakenly used for effect. Except when your topic is psychology, you will seldom need the noun affect.