effect

²ef·fect

verb \i-ˈfekt, e-, ē-, ə-\

Definition of EFFECT

transitive verb

1

: to cause to come into being

2

a : to bring about often by surmounting obstacles : accomplish <effect a settlement of a dispute> b : to put into operation <the duty of the legislature to effect the will of the citizens>

Usage Discussion of EFFECT

Effect and affect are often confused because of their similar spelling and pronunciation. The verb ²affect usually has to do with pretense <she affected a cheery disposition despite feeling down>. The more common ³affect denotes having an effect or influence <the weather affected everyone's mood>. The verb effect goes beyond mere influence; it refers to actual achievement of a final result <the new administration hopes to effect a peace settlement>. The uncommon noun affect, which has a meaning relating to psychology, is also sometimes mistakenly used for the very common effect. In ordinary use, the noun you will want is effect <waiting for the new law to take effect> <the weather had an effect on everyone's mood>.

Examples of EFFECT

1. They are trying to effect a settlement of the dispute.
2. The duty of the legislature is to effect the will of the people.
3. When, at last, rescue is at hand, Jewitt has no hesitation in lying to his old friend and master, Maquinna, in order to effect his escape, although he does persuade the captain of the brig Lydia not to kill the chief. —Carolyn Kizer, New York Times Book Review, 21 Feb. 1988
4. I had just written the Gossets that your address was Drujon Lane, so I would be obliged if you would drop them a card and tell them your release has been effected. —Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
5. As the whole progress of mathematics from its ancient simplicities to what we call its “higher” modern developments has been effected by assuming impossibilities and inconceivabilities, your line of argument does not seem to me conclusive. —Bernard Shaw, c. 4 Nov. 1932, in Collected Letters: 1926–1950, 1988
6. Hitherto, while gathering up the discourse of Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple, I had not, at the same time, neglected precautions to secure my personal safety; which I thought would be effected, if I could only elude observation. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847

Origin of EFFECT

(see ¹effect)

First Known Use: 1533

Related to EFFECT

Synonyms: beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield, bring forth, give rise to

Related Words: conduce (to), contribute (to); decide, determine; begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start; advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote; enact, render, turn out

Near Antonyms: impede, limit, restrict; clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress; arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard; can [slang], kill, snuff (out), still; abolish, demolish, destroy, extinguish, liquidate, quench

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See Synonym Discussion at perform