\Ef*fect"\, 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.
         That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my
         fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and
         it.                                   --Shak.
2. Manifestation; expression; sign.
         All the large effects That troop with majesty.
                                               --Shak.
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.
         The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of
         the cause.                            --Whewell.
4. Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
         Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect.
                                               --J. C.
                                               Shairp.
         The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely
         nature of the place.                  --W. Irving.
5. Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance;
   account; as, to speak with effect.
6. Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; --
   with to.
         They spake to her to that effect.     --2 Chron.
                                               xxxiv. 22.
7. The purport; the sum and substance. ``The effect of his
   intent.'' --Chaucer.
8. Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere
   appearance.
         No other in effect than what it seems. --Denham.
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.
{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}.
Usage: 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.
             Resolving all events, with their effects And
             manifold results, into the will And arbitration
             wise of the Supreme.              --Cowper.
             Shun the bitter consequence, for know, The day
             thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die.
                                               --Milton.

\Ef*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Effected}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Effecting}.]
1. To produce, as a cause or agent; to cause to be.
         So great a body such exploits to effect. --Daniel.
2. To bring to pass; to execute; to enforce; to achieve; to
   accomplish.
         To effect that which the divine counsels had
         decreed.                              --Bp. Hurd.
         They sailed away without effecting their purpose.
                                               --Jowett (Th.
                                               ).
Syn: To accomplish; fulfill; achieve; complete; execute;
     perform; attain. See {Accomplish}.