ef·fect / iˈfekt/ • n. 1. a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause: the lethal effects of hard drugs. ∎  used to refer to the state of being or becoming operative: they succeeded in putting their strategies into effect. ∎  the extent to which something succeeds or is operative: wind power can be used to great effect. ∎  Physics a physical phenomenon, typically named after its discoverer: the Doppler effect. ∎  an impression produced in the mind of a person: gentle music can have a soothing effect.2. (effects) the lighting, sound, or scenery used in a play, movie, or broadcast: the production relied too much on spectacular effects.3. (effects) personal belongings: the insurance covers personal effects.• v. [tr.] (often be effected) cause (something) to happen; bring about: budget cuts that were quietly effected over four years.PHRASES: for effect in order to impress people: I suspect he's controversial for effect.in effect in operation; in force: a moratorium in effect since 1985 has been lifted. ∎  used to convey that something is the case in practice even if it is not formally acknowledged to be so: additional payments which are in effect an entrance tax.to the effect that used to refer to the general sense of something written or spoken: some comments to the effect that my essay was a little light on analysis.to that effect having that result, purpose, or meaning: she thought it a foolish rule and put a notice to that effect in a newspaper.

EFFECT

As a verb, to do; to produce; to make; to bring to pass; to execute; enforce; accomplish. As a noun,that which is produced by an agent or cause; result; outcome; consequence. The result that an instrument between parties will produce in their relative rights, or which a statute will produce upon the existing law, as discovered from the language used, the forms employed, or other materials for construing it. The operation of a law, of an agreement, or an act. The phrases take effect, be in force, and go into operation, are used interchangeably.

In the plural, a person's effects are the real andpersonal propertyof someone who has died or who makes a will.

effect result XIV; accomplishment XV; operative influence, impression XVII; pl. goods and chattels XVIII. — OF. effect (mod. effet) or L. effectus, f. effect-, pp. stem of efficere work out, f. EF- + fic-, facere make, DO1.
Hence effect vb. XVI. Also effective XIV. — L. effectual XIV. — medL. effectuate XVI. f. medL. effectuāre, -āt-.