ef·fect ( -f kt )n. 1. Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result. 2. 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. 3. A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect. 4. Advantage; avail: used her words to great effect in influencing the jury. 5. The condition of being in full force or execution: a new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow. 6. a. Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention: The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama. b. A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness. c. Production of a desired impression: spent lavishly on dinner just for effect. 7. The basic or general meaning; import: He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect. 8. effects Movable belongings; goods. tr.v. ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects Idiom: 1. To bring into existence. 2. To produce as a result. 3. To bring about. See Usage Note at affect1. in effect In essence; to all purposes: testimony that in effect contradicted her earlier statement. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin effectus, from past participle of efficere, to accomplish : ex-, ex- + facere, to make; see dh  - in Indo-European roots.]ef·fect er n.ef·fect i·ble adj.Synonyms: effect, consequence, result, outcome, upshot, sequel 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. |
effects [ɪˈfɛkts]
pl n
1. Also called personal effects personal property or belongings
2. (Performing Arts / Theatre) lighting, sounds, etc., to accompany and enhance a stage, film, or broadcast production
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | effects - property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business; "she left some of her personal effects in the house"; "I watched over their effects until they returned" personal estate, personal property, personalty, private property - movable property (as distinguished from real estate) |
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