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 do1) + -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.
Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.
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.
A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect.
Advantage; avail: used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
The condition of being in full force or execution: a new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention: The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.
A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.
Production of a desired impression: spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.
The basic or general meaning; import: He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.
[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.
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).
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon; "the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"; "his decision had depressing consequences for business"; "he acted very wise after the event" [syn: consequence]
2.
an outward appearance; "he made a good impression"; "I wanted to create an impression of success"; "she retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting" [syn: impression]
3.
an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived); "he just did it for effect"
4.
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
5.
(of a law) having legal validity; "the law is still in effect"
6.
a symptom caused by an illness or a drug; "the effects of sleep loss"; "the effect of the anesthetic"
verb
1.
produce; "The scientists set up a shock wave"
2.
act so as to bring into existence; "effect a change"
Ac*com"plish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accomplished, p. pr. & vb. n. Accomplishing.] [OE. acomplissen, OF. accomplir, F. accomplir; L. ad + complere to fill up, complete. See Complete, Finish.]1. To complete, as time or distance. That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. --Dan. ix. 2. He had accomplished half a league or more. --Prescott. 2. To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise. This that is written must yet be accomplished in me. --Luke xxii. 37. 3. To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish. The armorers accomplishing the knights. --Shak. It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it. --Wilkins. These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman. --Cowden Clarke. 4. To gain; to obtain. [Obs.] --Shak. Syn: To do; perform; fulfill; realize; effect; effectuate; complete; consummate; execute; achieve; perfect; equip; furnish. Usage: To Accomplish, Effect, Execute, Achieve, Perform. These words agree in the general idea of carrying out to some end proposed. To accomplish (to fill up to the measure of the intention) generally implies perseverance and skill; as, to accomplish a plan proposed by one's self, an object, a design, an undertaking. "Thou shalt accomplish my desire." --1 Kings v. 9. He . . . expressed his desire to see a union accomplished between England and Scotland. --Macaulay. To effect (to work out) is much like accomplish. It usually implies some degree of difficulty contended with; as, he effected or accomplished what he intended, his purpose, but little. "What he decreed, he effected." --Milton. To work in close design by fraud or guile What force effected not. --Milton. To execute (to follow out to the end, to carry out, or into effect) implies a set mode of operation; as, to execute the laws or the orders of another; to execute a work, a purpose, design, plan, project. To perform is much like to do, though less generally applied. It conveys a notion of protracted and methodical effort; as, to perform a mission, a part, a task, a work. "Thou canst best perform that office." --Milton. The Saints, like stars, around his seat Perform their courses still. --Keble. To achieve (to come to the end or arrive at one's purpose) usually implies some enterprise or undertaking of importance, difficulty, and excellence.
Con"se*quence\, n. [L., consequentia: cf. F. cons['e]quence. See Consequent.]1. That which follows something on which it depends; that which is produced by a cause; a result. Shun to taste, And shun the bitter consequence. --Milton. 2. (Logic) A proposition collected from the agreement of other previous propositions; any conclusion which results from reason or argument; inference. 3. Chain of causes and effects; consecution. Such fatal consequence unites us three. --Milton. Link follows link by necessary consequence. --Coleridge. 4. Importance with respect to what comes after; power to influence or produce an effect; value; moment; rank; distinction. It is a matter of small consequence. --Shak. A sense of your own worth and consequence. --Cowper. In consequence, hence; for this cause. In consequence of, by reason of; as the effect of. Syn: Effect; result; end. See Effect.