Advertisement

Origin and history of effect

effect(n.)

mid-14c., "execution or completion (of an act)," from Old French efet (13c., Modern French effet) "result, execution, completion, ending," from Latin effectus "accomplishment, performance," from past participle stem of efficere "work out, accomplish." This is from assimilated form of ex "out" (see ex-) + combining form of facere "to make, to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). From French, borrowed into Dutch, German, Scandinavian.

From late 14c. as "power or capacity to produce an intended result; efficacy, effectiveness," and in astrology, "operation or action (of a heavenly body) on human affairs; influence." Also "that which follows from something else; a consequence, a result."

From early 15c. as "intended result, purpose, object, intent." Also formerly with a sense of "reality, fact," hence in effect (late 14c.), originally "in fact, actually, really." The meaning "impression produced on the beholder" is from 1736. The sense in stage effect, sound effect, etc. is attested by 1881.

effect

effect(v.)

"to produce as a result; to bring to a desired end," 1580s, from Latin effectus, past participle of efficere "work out, accomplish" (see effect (n.)). Related: Effecting; effection; effectible.

effect

also from 1580s

Entries linking to effect

effected(adj.)

"brought about," past-participle adjective from effect (v.). Since early 15c. sometimes used erroneously for affected.

effective(adj.)

late 14c., "serving to effect the intended purpose," from Old French effectif, from Latin effectivus "productive, effective," from effect-, stem of efficere "work out, accomplish" (see effect (n.)). Of military forces, "fit for action or duty," from 1680s.

Advertisement

More to explore

effectual
"producing an effect; having power to produce an effect," late 14c., Old French effectuel, from Late Latin effectualis, from Latin effectus "accomplishment, performance" (see effect (n.)). Used properly of actions (not agents) and with a sense "having the effect aimed at" (effect
efficacy
"quality of being effectual, producing the desired effect," 1520s, from Latin efficacia "efficacy, efficiency," from efficax (genitive efficacis) "powerful, effectual, efficient," from stem of efficere "work out, accomplish" (see effect (n.)). Earlier in English in the same sense
consequence
late 14c., "logical inference, conclusion," from Old French consequence "result" (13c., Modern French conséquence), from Latin consequentia, abstract noun from present-participle stem of consequi "to follow after," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see con-) + sequi
coloring
From 1762 in figurative or transferred sense "peculiar character or effect analogous to the effect of hue or tint."...
wah-wah
1926, in jazz slang, in reference to the effect on brass instruments made by manipulating the mute; of imitative origin....Later also in reference to an electric guitar effect....
virtual
The meaning "being something in essence or effect, though not actually or in fact" is from mid-15c., probably via sense of..."capable of producing a certain effect" (early 15c.)....
operate
c. 1600, "to be in effect, perform or be at work, exert force or influence," a back-formation from operation (q.v.), or else...from Latin operatus, past participle of operari "to work, labor, toil, take pains" (in Late Latin "to have effect, be active...
influence
late 14c., an astrological term, "streaming ethereal power from the stars when in certain positions, acting upon character or destiny of men," from Old French influence "emanation from the stars that acts upon one's character and destiny" (13c.), also "a flow of water, a flowing
change
c. 1200, "to alter, make different, change" (transitive); early 13c. as "to substitute one for another;" mid-13c. as "to make (something) other than what it was, cause to turn or pass from one state to another;" from late 13c. as "to become different, be altered" (intransitive),
opinion
early 14c., opinioun, "a judgment formed or a conclusion reached, especially one based on evidence that does not produce knowledge or certainty," from Old French opinion "opinion, view, judgements founded upon probabilities" (12c.), from Latin opinionem (nominative opinio) "opini

Share effect

Advertisement
Trending
Dictionary entries near effect
Advertisement