n.
1.a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
2.an outward appearance
3.(of a law) having legal validity
4.a symptom caused by an illness or a drug
5.an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived)
6.the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work effect v.
1.produce
2.act so as to bring into existence
Idiom of the Day
driving force behind (someone or something)
the motivating force behind someone or something
The potato farmers were the driving force behind the efforts to get people to eat more potatoes.