What is "in effect"

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.

a. 1 operate or functioning; in force; in play. 2 actually, practically. adv. For all practical purposes; in practice; virtually; essentially; basically.

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

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)]