Search the Dictionary

A conveyance, as by deed, effected by the act of the parties and not involving, as in the fine and recovery, judicial proceedings.

A composition, as in music, or in the drama, designed to produce effect by its wild irregularity; esp., a musical caricature.

An effect produced or achieved; anything done or that comes to pass; an act; an event; a circumstance. What might instigate him to this devilish fact, I am not able to conjecture. Evelyn. He who most excels in fact of arms. Milton.

e. Sometimes the idea of activity in a verb or adjective involves in it a reference to an effect, in the way of causality, in the active voice on the immediate objects, and in the passive voice on the subject of such activity. This second object is called the factitive object. J. W. Gibbs.

To give warning to; -- said of a person in whose hands the effects of another are attached, the warning being to the effect that he shall not pay the money or deliver the property of the defendant in his hands to him, but appear and answer the suit of the plaintiff.

other outlet. -- To fall flat, to produce no response or result; to fail of the intended effect; as, his speech fell flat. -- To fall foul of. (a) (Naut.) To have a collision with; to become entangled with (b) To attack; to make an assault upon. -- To fall from, to recede or depart from; not to adhere to; as, to fal…

That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion.

Seeing to great distance; hence, of good judgment regarding the remote effects of actions; sagacious.

To cause to take close effect; to make to tell; to lay on; as, to fasten a blow. [Obs.] Dryden. If I can fasten but one cup upon him. Shak. To fasten a charge, or a crime, upon, to make his guilt certain, or so probable as to be generally believed. -- To fasten one's eyes upon, to look upon steadily without cessation.…

Capable of being done, executed, or effected; practicable. Always existing before their eyes as a thing feasible in practice. Burke. It was not feasible to gratify so many ambitions. Beaconsfield.

Effect. [Obs.]

An authoritative command or order to do something; an effectual decree. His fiat laid the corner stone. Willis.

Aiming at show or effect; loaded with ornament; overdressed or overdecorated; showy. He gratified them with occasional . . . fine writing. M. Arnold.

) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or restrain a motion.

formerly supervised the composition of fireworks. -- Fire office, an office at which to effect insurance against fire. -- Fire opal, a variety of opal giving firelike reflections. -- Fire ordeal, an ancient mode of trial, in which the test was the ability of the accused to handle or tread upon red-hot irons. Abbot.…

. Law) The first year's whole profits of a benefice or spiritual living. (d) The earliest effects or results. See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in man! Milton. -- First mate, an officer in a merchant vessel next in rank to the captain. -- First name, same as Christian name. Se…

To break; to violate; to make of no effect. [Obs.] France hath flawed the league. Shak.

gen rays in which the cathode rays are focused upon the anticathode, for intensifying the effect. -- Principal, or Solar, focus (Opt.), the focus for parallel rays.

To result from, as an effect from a cause, or an inference from a premise.

To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command; as, an impassable river forbids the approach of the army. A blaze of glory that forbids the sight. Dryden.