Ef-fêct'1, n.
n. [Lat. effectus, from efficere; Sp. efecto, Pg. effeito, Pr. effet, Fr. effet, It. effetto.]
Sense 1. That which is produced by an agent or cause; result of agency or causation; consequence; event; as, the effect of luxury.
Effect is the substance produced, or simple idea introduced into any subject by the exerting of power. Locke.
Sense 2. Impression produced; result in apprehension, admiration, enjoyment, and the like; as, the effect of a picture or piece of music.
The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place. W. Irving.
Sense 3. Power to produce consequences or results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect.
Sense 4. Consequence intended; purpose; general intent; — with to.
They spake to her to that effect. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 22.
Sense 5. (pl.) Goods; movables; personal estate; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects.
For effect, for an exaggerated impression or excitement. — Of no effect, or without effect, destitute of results, validity, force, and the like. — To give effect to, to make valid; to carry out in practice; to push to its results. — In effect, in fact.
Synonyms—EFFECT, CONSEQUENCE, RESULT. These words indicate things which arise out of some antecedent, or follow as a consequent. Effect is the strongest term, and 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 flowing out of and following 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. A consequence may be compared to the track which follows in the wake of a ship, and is occasioned by her motion. A result may be compared to the action produced on a ball when thrown against the side of a house. This will vary according to the force of the throw, the hardness of the wall, and the elasticity of the ball. We may foresee the effects of a measure, may conjecture its consequences, but can rarely discover its final results.
The lightning is far off, yet soon as seen We may behold the terrible effects That it produceth. Massinger.
Shun the bitter consequence, for know, The day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt die. Milton.
Then of their session ended, they bid cry With trumpets' regal sound the grand result. Milton.