effect

Noun

• a symptom caused by an illness or a drug
  • the effects of sleep loss
    
  • the effect of the anesthetic
    

• (of a law) having legal validity
  • the law is still in effect
    

• the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

• an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived)
  • he just did it for effect
    

• an outward appearance
  • he made a good impression
    
  • I wanted to create an impression of success
    
  • she retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting
    

• a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
  • the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise
    
  • his decision had depressing consequences for business
    
  • he acted very wise after the event
    

Verb

• act so as to bring into existence
  • effect a change
    

• produce
  • The scientists set up a shock wave
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  force , essence , burden , core , gist , impression , consequence , outcome , result , event , issue , upshot , effectuate , set up