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In effect

 - 7 dictionary results

ef⋅fect

  [i-fekt]
Use In effect in a Sentence
–noun
1. something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence: Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.
2. power to produce results; efficacy; force; validity; influence: His protest had no effect.
3. the state of being effective or operative; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment: to bring a plan into effect.
4. a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.
5. meaning or sense; purpose or intention: She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.
6. the making of a desired impression: We had the feeling that the big, expensive car was only for effect.
7. an illusory phenomenon: a three-dimensional effect.
8. a real phenomenon (usually named for its discoverer): the Doppler effect.
9. special effects.
–verb (used with object)
10. to produce as an effect; bring about; accomplish; make happen: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
—Idioms
11. in effect,
a. for practical purposes; virtually: His silence was in effect a confirmation of the rumor.
b. essentially; basically.
c. operating or functioning; in force: The plan is now in effect.
12. take effect,
a. to go into operation; begin to function.
b. to produce a result: The prescribed medicine failed to take effect.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L effectus the carrying out (of a task, etc.), hence, that which is achieved, outcome, equiv. to effec- (var. s. of efficere to make, carry out; ef- ef- + -ficere, comb. form of facere to do 1 ) + -tus suffix of v. action

Related forms:
ef⋅fect⋅i⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. outcome, issue. Effect, consequence(s), result refer to something produced by an action or a cause. An effect is that which is produced, usually more or less immediately and directly: The effect of morphine is to produce sleep. A consequence, something that follows naturally or logically, as in a train of events or sequence of time, is less intimately connected with its cause than is an effect: Punishment is the consequence of disobedience. A result may be near or remote, and often is the sum of effects or consequences as making an end or final outcome: The English language is the result of the fusion of many different elements. 10. achieve, realize, fulfill, perform, consummate.

Usage note:
See affect 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To In effect
ef·fect   (ĭ-fěkt')   
n.  

  1. Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.

  2. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain. The government's action had no effect on the trade imbalance.

  3. A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect.

  4. Advantage; avail: used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.

  5. The condition of being in full force or execution: a new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.

    1. Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention: The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.

    2. A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.

    3. Production of a desired impression: spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.

  7. The basic or general meaning; import: He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.

  8. effects Movable belongings; goods.

tr.v.   ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects

  1. To bring into existence.

  2. To produce as a result.

  3. To bring about. See Usage Note at affect1.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin effectus, from past participle of efficere, to accomplish : ex-, ex- + facere, to make; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
ef·fect'er n., ef·fect'i·ble adj.
Synonyms: These nouns denote an occurrence, situation, or condition that is caused by an antecedent. An effect is produced by the action of an agent or a cause and follows it in time: "Every cause produces more than one effect" (Herbert Spencer).
A consequence has a less sharply definable relationship to its cause: "Servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt" (John P. Curran).
A result is viewed as the end product of the operation of the cause: "Judging from the results I have seen ... I cannot say ... that I agree with you" (William H. Mallock).
An outcome more strongly implies finality and may suggest the operation of a cause over a relatively long period: The trial's outcome might have changed if the defendant had testified.
An upshot is a decisive result, often of the nature of a climax: "The upshot of the matter ... was that she showed both of them the door" (Robert Louis Stevenson).
A sequel is a consequence that ensues after a lapse of time: "Our dreams are the sequel of our waking knowledge" (Ralph Waldo Emerson). See Also Synonyms at perform.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

effect  (n.)
c.1385, "result," from O.Fr. effect, from L. effectus "accomplishment, performance," from stem of efficere "work out, accomplish," from ex- "out" + facere "to do" (see factitious). The verb is from 1589. Sense in stage effect, sound effect, etc. first recorded 1881. Effects "goods, property" is from 1704. Effective "having result" is from 1760; earlier in this sense was effectual (c.1386).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: effect
Function: transitive verb
1 : to cause to come into being
2 : to bring about often by surmounting obstacles <effect a settlement of the dispute>
3 : to put into operation effect the will of the citizens>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ef·fect
Pronunciation: i-'fekt
Function: noun
: something that is produced by an agent or cause effect with asmaller dose>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

effect ef·fect (ĭ-fěkt')
n.

  1. Something brought about by a cause or an agent; a result.

  2. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence.

  3. A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon.

  4. The condition of being in full force or execution.

  5. Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention.

v. ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects

  1. To bring into existence.

  2. To produce as a result.

  3. To bring about.

ef·fect'er n.
ef·fect'i·ble adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

in effect

  1. For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement. [Late 1500s]

  2. In or into operation, as in This law will be in effect in January. Related phrases include and take effect, which mean "become operative," as in This law goes into effect January 1, or It takes effect January 1. Similarly, put into effect means "make operative," as in When will the judge's ruling be put into effect? [Late 1700s] Also see in force, def. 2.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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