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.
exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: effective]
adverb
1.
in actuality or reality or fact; "she is effectively his wife"; "in effect, they had no choice" [syn: effectively]
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