noun

1. anything brought about by a cause or agent; result
2. the power or ability to bring about results; efficacy a law of little effect
3. influence or action on something the drug had a cathartic effect
4. general meaning; purport he spoke to this effect
5. 1. the impression produced on the mind of the observer or hearer, as by artistic design or manner of speaking, acting, etc. to do something just for effect
   2. something, as a design, aspect of nature, etc., that produces a particular impression striking cloud effects
   3. a scientific phenomenon the Doppler effect
6. the condition or fact of being operative or in force the law goes into effect today
7. belongings; property household effects

Etymology: ME < OFr (& L) < L effectus, orig., pp. of efficere, to bring to pass, accomplish < ex-, out + facere, do

transitive verb