effect

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The result or outcome of a cause.

   “The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.”

   “The stories did not seem to me to touch life. They were plainly intended to have a bracing moral effect, and perhaps had this result for the people at whom they were aimed.”

   “The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […] The bed was the most extravagant piece. Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.”

   “The solitary, lumbering trolls of Scandinavian mythology would sometimes be turned to stone by exposure to sunlight. Barack Obama is hoping that several measures announced on June 4th will have a similarly paralysing effect on their modern incarnation, the patent troll.”

2. (countable, uncountable)Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.

   “patchwork […] introduced for oratorical effect”

   “The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place.”

3. (countable, uncountable)Execution; performance; realization; operation.

   “That no compunctious visitings of nature / Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between / The effect and it.”

4. (uncountable)Execution; performance; realization; operation.

   “The new law will come into effect on the first day of next year.”

5. (countable, uncountable)An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")

   “The effect of flying was most convincing.”

   “The colored bands of color that strobe through much of the text and other visual elements are perhaps the most prototypical of all Amiga demoscene effects and, again, are a direct result of the hardware on which Megademo was created to run.”

6. (countable, uncountable)An alteration, or device for producing an alteration, in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.

   “I use an echo effect here to make the sound more mysterious.”

   “I just bought a couple of great effects.”

7. (countable, uncountable)A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.

   “Doppler effect”

8. (countable, uncountable)An influence or causal association between two variables.

   “effect size”

   “therapeutic effect”

9. (countable, plural-normally, uncountable)Belongings, usually as personal effects.

   “The tenant shall pay for the repair of, or replace all such items of the fixtures, fittings, furniture and effects as shall be broken, lost, damaged or destroyed during that time.”

   “His Goods, Family, and all his Effects were also ſeiz'd every where, and his Family carried into Priſon.”

10. (countable, uncountable)Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; with to.

    “They spake to her to that effect.”

11. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.

    “no other in effect than what it seems”

12. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)Manifestation; expression; sign.

    “All the large effects / That troop with majesty.”

verb

1. (transitive)To make or bring about; to implement.

   “The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.”

   “The offence thus given naturally effected an entire conversion in the queen's sentiments, and when Arthur returned from hunting, like Potiphar's wife, she charges Launfal with attempting her honour.”

   “The punishment for sodomy, when completely effected, was death, and it was frequently inflicted.”

   “The transfer by tender of some 1,300 mail bags was effected smartly, and the "Ocean Mails Special" train was ready at 9.19 a.m.”

   “Mr. Kim was again elected chairman, and a committee of forty was authorized to draw up regulations for the church to be submitted to a full convention, probably in April. Only south Korea delegates were present at this meeting. Hence, the delay until April was effected in order to give time to bring in the Christians of north Korea.”

2. (alt-of, misspelling)Misspelling of affect.