Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Effect \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.

Source : WordNet®

in effect
     adv : in actuality or reality or fact; "she is effectively his
           wife"; "in effect, they had no choice" [syn: {effectively}]

in effect
     adj : exerting force or influence; "the law is effective
           immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law
           is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: {effective},
           {good}, {in effect(p)}, {in force(p)}]