Effect v.

[f. prec. sb.]

  1.  trans. To bring about (an event, a result); to accomplish (an intention, a desire).

  The existence of obstacles or difficulties is, in mod. use, ordinarily implied in this sense of the vb.

1589.  Warner, Alb. Eng., VI. xxxi. (1612), 154. And nothing else I did affect but to effect my sute.

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. vi. 98. Ile crosse the Sea To effect this marriage.

1635.  Quarles, Embl., I. vi. (1718), 25. Let wit, and all her studied plots effect The best they can.

1718.  Free-thinker, No. 90. 244. At first they only wish to be secure; that effected, they endeavour to grow Powerful.

1792.  Anec. W. Pitt, III. xliv. 196. Peace … would never be effected.

1833.  Lardner, Manuf. Metal, II. 227 (Cab. Cycl.). This reciprocating movement of the carriage is effected by a pinion fixed upon the end of a vertical spindle.

1837.  Disraeli, Venetia, IV. i. (1871), 209. Just effected his escape as the servant announced a visitor.

1850.  Browning, Easter-Day, 5. Effecting thus, complete and whole, a purpose of the human soul.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 13. And the cure, my dear youth, has to be effected by the use of certain charms, and these charms are fair words.

1878.  Huxley, Physiogr., 105. The most skilful chemists have hitherto failed to effect such decomposition.

  † b.  To produce (a state or condition). Obs.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. i. 86. Sorrie am I that our good will effects Bianca’s greefe.

1655–60.  Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 135/2. The concurrence of Pleasures which effecteth Beatitude, is very difficult.

  c.  To make, construct. rare. arch.

1791.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 75. The Lighthouse happily effected by Mr. Rudyerd.

1884.  Stevenson, New Arab. Nts., 317. An enormous window … had been effected in the wall.

  d.  Comm. To effect a sale, an insurance; hence, to effect a policy (of insurance).

1866.  Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. xxiii. 598. The earliest purchases are effected in immediate proximity to the mines.

1883.  Manch. Guardian, 17 Oct., 5/4. Nominee life policies are often effected which are altogether invalid.

  † 2.  To give effect to (a resolution, a feeling); to fulfil (a promise). Obs.

c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faustus, v. C 1 b. Faustus, I sweare by hel and Lucifer To effect all promises betweene vs made.

1606.  Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. x. 6. You heauens, effect your rage with speede.

1660.  Marvell, Corr., iii. Wks. 1872–5, II. 20. We shall be called upon shortly to effect our vote made the former sitting.

  † 3.  absol. and intr. To have an effect, be effectual; to accomplish its purpose. Obs.

1592.  Warner, Alb. Eng., VII. xxxiv. (1612), 164. But that Cadwalladers Fore-doomes in Tuders should effect Was vnexpected.

1603.  Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1621), 1330. But the petard hauing effected as we haue said.

1655–60.  Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 161/2. Elements, of which Air and Fire have a faculty to move and effect.

  ¶ 4.  Confused with AFFECT (? and INFECT).

1494.  Fabyan, VII. 371. The Albygensis … had ben effected w^t dyuers poyntes of herysy.

1652.  J. Wadsworth, trans. Sandoval’s Civ. Wars Spain, 301. The Abbat of Santa Pia … whom the earl particularly esteemed and effected.

1729.  T. Cooke, Tales, Proposals, etc. 135. His words effected much the Laureat’s Mind.

1772–84.  Cook, Voy. (1790), IV. 1279. He effects to preserve an entire silence about Kerguelen.