effect

effect
affect, effect
1. These two words are often confused. It should be remembered that effect is most common as a noun meaning ‘a result or consequence’

• (In England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever —Oscar Wilde)

and that affect is most common as a verb meaning ‘to have an effect on’ (Bodily exercise indirectly affects all the organs of the body / These measures chiefly affect [i.e. are directed at] drug-pushers / It will not affect [i.e. have a bearing on] his chances of promotion). As a noun, affect survives only as a technical term in psychology. As a verb, effect means ‘to bring about, to cause, to have as a result’ (to effect changes, to effect a cure, to effect a rescue).
2. Affect also means ‘to assume (a character); to pretend to have or feel or do something, etc.’

• (As he reached the pick-up point, he should affect to slow down as if hunting for a car —John Le Carré, 1989).

This is a different word although it is ultimately related to the one above.

Modern English usage. 2014.

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  • 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. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • effect — ef·fect 1 n 1: something that is produced by an agent or cause 2 pl: personal property (1) at property: goods …   Law dictionary

  • effect — n 1 Effect, result, consequence, upshot, aftereffect, aftermath, sequel, issue, outcome, event are comparable in signifying something, usually a condition, situation, or occurrence, ascribable to a cause or combination of causes. Effect is the… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • effect — [e fekt′, ifekt′; ] often [ ēfekt′, əfekt′] n. [ME < OFr (& L) < L effectus, orig., pp. of efficere, to bring to pass, accomplish < ex , out + facere, DO1] 1. anything brought about by a cause or agent; result 2. the power or ability to… …   English World dictionary

  • effect — que l art fait, Effectio artis. Effect et pouvoir, Effectus. Homme de peu d effect, Parum efficax homo. Tout l effect d amitié git en mesme vouloir, Vis amicitiae est in animorum consensione. Laquelle signification approcha si trespres de l… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • effect — ► NOUN 1) a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. 2) the state of being or becoming operative. 3) the extent to which something succeeds or is operative: wind power can be used to great effect. 4) (effects) personal …   English terms dictionary

  • Effect — Effect, Wirkung, Erfolg, wird besonders von einer erhöhten, einer überraschenden Wirkung gebraucht. In der Kunst darf der Künstler wohl den Effect anbringen, jedoch ohne die Harmonie der einzelnen Theile unter einander zu stören; er darf nicht… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Effect — Effect, from Latin effectus performance, accomplishment can be used in various meanings: * Any result of another action or circumstance (see pragma , phenomenon, list of effects); * Cause and effect are the relata of causality; * In movies and… …   Wikipedia

  • effect — [n1] result aftereffect, aftermath, backlash, backwash, can of worms*, causatum, chain reaction*, conclusion, consequence, corollary, denouement, development, end, end product, event, eventuality, fallout, flak*, follow through, follow up, fruit …   New thesaurus

  • Effect — 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. [1913 Webster] So great a body such exploits to effect. Daniel. [1913 Webster] 2. To bring to pass; to execute; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • effect — (n.) late 14c., a result, from O.Fr. efet (13c., Mod.Fr. effet) result, execution, completion, ending, from L. effectus accomplishment, performance, from pp. stem of efficere work out, accomplish, from ex out (see EX (Cf. ex )) + facere to do… …   Etymology dictionary

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