effect

n. [ L. effectus, fr. efficere, effectum, to effect; ex + facere to make: cf. F. effet, formerly also spelled effect. See Fact. ] 1. Execution; performance; realization; operation; as, the law goes into effect in May. [ 1913 Webster ]

That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect and it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Manifestation; expression; sign. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the large effects
That troop with majesty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. In general: That which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent, called the cause; result; consequence; outcome; fruit; as, the effect of luxury. [ 1913 Webster ]

The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Impression left on the mind; sensation produced. [ 1913 Webster ]

Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect. J. C. Shairp. [ 1913 Webster ]

The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; -- with to. [ 1913 Webster ]

They spake to her to that effect. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 22. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. The purport; the sum and substance. “The effect of his intent.” Chaucer.

8. Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

No other in effect than what it seems. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. pl. Goods; movables; personal estate; -- sometimes used to embrace real as well as personal property; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects. [ 1913 Webster ]

For effect, for an exaggerated impression or excitement. --
In effect, in fact; in substance. See 8, above. --
Of no effect,
Of none effect,
To no effect, or
Without effect, destitute of results, validity, force, and the like; vain; fruitless. “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition.” Mark vii. 13. “All my study be to no effect.” Shak. --
To give effect to, to make valid; to carry out in practice; to push to its results. --
To take effect, to become operative, to accomplish aims. Shak.

Syn. -- Effect, Consequence, Result. These words indicate things which arise out of some antecedent, or follow as a consequent. Effect, which may be regarded as the generic term, denotes that which springs directly from something which can properly be termed a cause. A consequence is more remote, not being strictly caused, nor yet a mere sequence, but following out of and following indirectly, or in the train of events, something on which it truly depends. A result is still more remote and variable, like the rebound of an elastic body which falls in very different directions. We may foresee the effects of a measure, may conjecture its consequences, but can rarely discover its final results. [ 1913 Webster ]

Resolving all events, with their effects
And manifold results, into the will
And arbitration wise of the Supreme. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shun the bitter consequence, for know,
The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]