'To give effect to' definitions:

Definition of 'To give effect to'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Manifestation; expression; sign. [1913 Webster]
  • All the large effects That troop with majesty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Impression left on the mind; sensation produced. [1913 Webster]
  • Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect. --J. C. Shairp. [1913 Webster]
  • The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; -- with to. [1913 Webster]
  • They spake to her to that effect. --2 Chron. xxxiv. 22. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. The purport; the sum and substance. "The effect of his intent." --Chaucer.
  • 8. Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance. [1913 Webster]
  • No other in effect than what it seems. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Resolving all events, with their effects And manifold results, into the will And arbitration wise of the Supreme. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
  • Shun the bitter consequence, for know, The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die. --Milton. [1913 Webster]