The
`American
`Heritage® Dictionary
`of the English Language
`
`FOURTH EDITION
`
`~~ HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
`., ~ Boston New York
`
`GE-1016.001
`
`

`
`Words are included in this Dictionary on the basis of their usage.
`Words that are known to have current trademark registrations are
`shown with an initial capital and are also identified as trademarks. No
`investigation has been made of common-law trademark rights in any
`word, because such investigation is impracticable. The inclusion of any
`word in this Dictionary is not, however, an expression of the
`Publisher's opinion as to whether or not it is subject to proprietary
`rights. Indeed, no definition in this Dictionary is to be regarded as
`affecting the validity of any trademark.
`
`American Heritage«> and the eagle logo are registered trademarks of
`Forbes Inc. Their use is pursuant to a license agreement with
`Forbes Inc.
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`Copyright © 2000 Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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`Visit our Web site: www.hmco.com/trade.
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`Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
`
`The American Heritage dictionary of the English language.-4th ed.
`cm.
`p.
`ISBN 0-395-82517-2 (hardcover)- ISBN 0-618-08230-1
`(hardcover with CD ROM)
`1. English language-Dictionaries
`PE1628 .A623 2000
`423-<ic21
`
`00-025369
`
`Manufactured in the United States of America
`
`GE-1016.002
`
`

`
`effect I effrontery
`
`efflorescence
`shore of the Dead Sea
`
`eft
`terrestrial form of a
`red-spotted newt
`
`570
`
`and played to the dramatic Molly" (Doris Lessing). [Middle English ef(cid:173)
`facen, from French effacer, from Old French esfacier: es-, out (from Latin
`ex-, ex-) +face, face; see FACE.] -ef•face'a•ble adj. -ef•face'ment
`n. -ef•facfer n.
`ef•fect (l-fekt') n. 1. Something brought about by a cause or agent;
`a result. 2. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influ(cid:173)
`ence: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain. The government's
`action had no effect on the trade imbalance. 3. A scientific law, hypothesis,
`or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect. 4. Advantage; avail: used her
`words to great effect in influencing the jury. 5. The condition of being in
`full force or execution: a new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
`Ga. Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general
`design or intention: The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere
`of the drama. b. A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect
`of spaciousness. c. Production of a desired impression: spent lavishly on
`dinner just for effect. 7. The basic or general meaning; import: He said
`he was greatly worried, or words to that effect. 8. effects Movable be(cid:173)
`longings; goods. •!• tr. v. -fect•ed, -fect•ing, -fects 1. To bring into
`existence. 2. To produce as a result. 3. To bring about. See Usage Note
`at affect'. -idiom: in effect In essence; to all purposes: testimony
`that in effect contradicted her earlier statement. [Middle English, from Old
`French, from Latin effectus, from past participle of efficere, to accom(cid:173)
`plish: ex-, ex- + facere, to make; see dhe- in Appendix I.] -ef•fect'er
`n. -ef•fect'i•ble adj.
`
`Synonyms effect, consequence, result, outcome, upshot, sequel These
`nouns denote an occurrence, situation, or condition that is caused by an
`antecedent. An effect is produced by the action of an agent or a cause and
`follows it in time: "Every cause produces more than one effect" (Herbert
`Spencer). A consequence has a less sharply definable relationship to its
`cause: "Servitude is at once.the consequence of his crime and the punish(cid:173)
`ment of his guilt" (John P. Curran). A result is viewed as the end product
`of the operation of the cause: '1udging from the results I have seen ... I
`cannot say .. . that I agree with you" (William H. Mallock). An outcome
`more strongly implies finality and may suggest the operation of a cause
`over a relatively long period: The trial's outcome might have changed if the
`defendant had testified. An upshot is a decisive result, often of the nature
`of a climax: "The upshot of the matter . .. was that she showed both of them
`the door" (Robert Louis Stevenson). A sequel is a consequence that ensues
`after a lapse of time: "Our dreams are the sequel of our waking knowledge"
`(Ralph Waldo Emerson). See also synonyms at perform.
`
`ef•fec•tive (1-fek'tiv) adj. 1 a. Having an intended or expected ef(cid:173)
`fect. b. Producing a strong impression or response; striking: gave an ef(cid:173)
`fective performance as Othello. 2. Operative; in effect: The law is effective
`immediately. 3. Existing in fact; actual: a decline in the effective demand.
`4. Prepared for use or action, especially in warfare. •!• n. A soldier or a
`piece of military equipment that is ready for combat: "The 'company' was
`no more than two platoons of effectives" (Tom Clancy). -ef•fecftive•
`ness, ef'fec•tiv'i•ty n.
`
`Synonyms effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient These adjectives
`mean producing or capable of producing a desired effect: an effective rep(cid:173)
`rimand; an effectual complaint; an efficacious remedy; the efficient cause
`of the revolution.
`
`ef•fec•tive•ly (l-fek'tlv-le) adv. 1. In an effective way. 2. For all
`practical purposes; in effect: Though a few rebels still held out, the fighting
`was effectively ended.
`ef•fec•tor (l-fekftar) n. 1. A muscle, gland, or organ capable of re(cid:173)
`sponding to a stimulus, especially a nerve impulse. 2. A nerve ending
`that carries impulses to a muscle, gland, or organ and activates muscle
`contraction or glandular secretion. 3. Biochemistry A small molecule that
`when bound to an allosteric site of an enzyme causes either a decrease or
`an increase in the activity of the enzyme. 4. Computer Science A device
`used to produce a desired change in an object in response to input.
`ef•fec•tu•al (l-fekfcho-o-al) adj. Producing or sufficient to produce
`a desired effect; fully adequate. See synonyms at effective. [Middle
`English effectuel, from Old French, from Late Latin effectualis, from
`Latin effectus, result, effect. See EFFECT.] -ef•fec'tu•al'i•ty (-a!fl-te),
`ef•fecftu•al•ness n. -ef•fecftu•al•ly adv.
`ef•fec•tu•ate (i-fek'choo-at')
`tr.v. -at•ed, -at•ing, -ates To
`bring about; effect. [Medieval Latin effectuare, effectuat-, from Latin ef(cid:173)
`fectus, an effect. See EFFECT.] -ef•fec'tu•a'tion n.
`ef•fem•i•na•cy (l-fem'a-na-se) n. The quality or condition of
`being effeminate.
`ef•fem•i•nate (l-fem'a-nlt) adj. 1. Having qualities or character(cid:173)
`istics more often associated with women than men. See synonyms at fe(cid:173)
`male. 2. Characterized by weakness and excessive refinement. [Middle
`English effeminat, from Latin effi!minatus, past participle of effi!minare,
`to make feminine : ex-, ex- + fi!mina, woman; see dhe(i)- in Appendix
`I.] -ef•femfi•nate n. -ef•fem'i•nate•ly adv. -ef•fem'i•nate•
`ness n.
`ef•fen•di (l-fenfde) n., pl. -dis 1. Used as a title of respect for men
`in Turkey, equivalent to sir. 2. An educated or respected man in the Near
`East. [Turkish efendi, from Medieval Greek aphenti!s, master, alteration
`of Greek authenti!s.]
`ef•fer•ent (ef'ar-ant) adj. 1. Directed away from a central organ or
`section. 2. Carrying impulses from the central nervous system to an ef(cid:173)
`•!• n. An efferent organ or body part, such as a blood vessel.
`fector.
`[From Latin efferens, efferent-, present participle of efferre, to carry off :
`ex-, ex- + ferre, tq carry; see bher-1 in Appendix I.] -efffer•ent•ly
`adv.
`
`ef•fer•vesce (ef'ar-ves') intr. v. -vesced, -vesc•ing, -vesc•es 1.
`To emit small bubbles of gas, as a carbonated or fermenting liquid. 2.
`To escape from a liquid as bubbles; bubble up. 3. To show high spirits
`or animation. [Latin effervi!scere : ex-, up, out; see EX- + fervescere, to
`start boiling, inchoative of fervi!re, to boil; see bh reu- in Appendix I.]
`-ef'fer•ves'cence, ef'fer•vesfcen•cy n. -ef'fer•ves'cent adj.
`-ef'fer•ves'cent•ly adv.
`ef•fete (l-fetf) adj. 1. Depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness; ex(cid:173)
`hausted: the final, effete period of the baroque style. 2. Marked by self(cid:173)
`indulgence, triviality, or decadence: an effete group of self-professed intel(cid:173)
`lectuals. 3. Overrefined; effeminate. 4. No longer productive; infertile.
`[Latin effetus, worn out, exhausted: ex-, ex-+ fetus, bearing young, p!ieg(cid:173)
`nant; see dhe(i)- in Appendix l.] -ef•fetefly adv. -ef•fete'ness n.
`Ef•fex•or (ef!ek-sor', -sor') A trademark used for the drug venlafax(cid:173)
`ine.
`ef•fi•ca•cious (ef'l-ka'sh:is) adj. Producing or capable of produc(cid:173)
`ing a desired effect. See synonyms at effective. [From Latin efficii.x,
`efficac-, from efficere, to effect. See EFFECT.] -ef'fi•ca'cious•ly adv.
`-ef'fi•ca'cious•ness n.
`ef•fi•ca•cy (efll-kd-se) n. Power or capacity to produce a desired
`effect; effectiveness. [Latin efficacia, from efficii.x, efficac-, efficacious.
`See EFFICACIOUS.]
`ef•fi•cien•cy (l-fish'an-se) n., pl. -cies 1a. The quality or property
`of being efficient. b. The degree to which this quality is exercised: The
`program was implemented with great efficiency and speed. 2a. The ratio
`of the effective or useful output to the total input in any system. b. The
`ratio of the energy delivered by a machine to the energy supplied for its
`operation. 3. An efficiency apartment.
`efficiency. apartment n. A small, usually furnished apartment
`with a private bathroom and kitchenette.
`efficiency expert n. A specialist who seeks to increase the produc(cid:173)
`tivity of a business or an industry by improving the efficiency of its op(cid:173)
`erations.
`ef•fi•cient (l-flshfant) adj. 1. Acting directly to produce an effect:
`an efficient cause. See synonyms at effective. 2a. Acting or producing
`effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort. b.
`Exhibiting a high ratio of output to input. [Middle English, from Old
`French, from Latin efficii!ns, efficient-, present participle of efficere, to ef(cid:173)
`fect. See EFFECT.] -ef•filcient•ly adv.
`ef•fi•gy (effa-je) n., pl. -gies 1. A crude figure or dummy represent(cid:173)
`ing a hated person or group. 2. A likeness or image, especially of a per(cid:173)
`son. -idiom: in effigy Symbolically, especially in the form of an ef(cid:173)
`figy: The deposed dictator was burned in effigy by the crowd. [French
`effigie, from Latin effigies, likeness, from effingere, to portray: ex-, ex- +
`fingere, to shape; see dheigh- in Appendix I.]
`ef•flo•resce (ef'la-res') intr.v. -reseed, -resc•ing, -resc•es 1. To
`blossom; bloom. 2. Chemistry a. To become a powder by losing water
`of crystallization, as when a hydrated crystal is exposed to air. b. To
`become covered with a powdery deposit. [Latin efflori!scere : ex-, ex- +
`f/Ori!scere, inchoative of florere, to blossom (from flos, flor-, flower; see
`bhel-3 in Appendix I).]
`ef•flo•res•cence (ef'la-res'ans) n. 1. Botany A state or time of
`flowering; anthesis. 2a. A gradual process of unfolding or developing.
`b. The highest point; the culmination. See synonyms at bloom 1
`• 3.
`Chemistry a. The deposit that results from the process of efflorescing.
`Also called bloom. b. The process of efflorescing. c. A growth of salt crys(cid:173)
`tals on a surface caused by evaporation of salt-laden water. 4. Pathology
`Redness, a rash, or an eruption on the skin. -ef'flo•res'cent adj.
`ef•flu•ence (effloo-ans) n. 1. The act or an instance of flowing out.
`2. Something that flows out or forth; an emanation: "tremendous emo(cid:173)
`tional effluences that affected blocks of people at a time, causing them to
`walk faster" (Coleman Dowell).
`ef•flu•ent (eftloo-ant) adj. Flowing out or forth. •!• n. Something
`that flows out or forth, especially: a. A stream flowing out of a body of
`water. b. An outflow from a sewer or sewage system. c. A discharge of
`liquid waste, as from a factory or nuclear plant. [Middle English, from
`Latin effluens, effluent-, present participle of effluere, to flow out : ex-,
`ex- + fluere, to flow; see bhleu- in Appendix!.]
`ef•flu•vi•um (l-floo've-am) n., pl. -vi•a (-ve-a) or -vi•ums 1. A
`usually invisible emanation or exhalation, as of vapor or gas. 2a. A
`byproduct or residue; waste. b. The odorous fumes given off by waste or
`decaying matter. 3. An impalpable emanation; an aura. [Latin, from ef(cid:173)
`fluere, to flow out. See EFFLUENT.] -ef•flu'vi•al adj.
`ef•flux (efthlks') n. 1. A flowing outward. 2. Something that flows
`out or forth; an effluence. 3. A passing or an expiration, as of time.
`[From Latin effliixus, past participle of effluere, to flow out. See EFFLU(cid:173)
`ENT.] -ef•fluxfion (l-fliik'shan) n.
`ef•fort (ef'art) n. 1. The use of physical or mental energy to do some(cid:173)
`thing; exertion. 2. A difficult exertion of the strength or will: It was an
`effort to get up. 3. A usually earnest attempt: Make an effort to arrive
`promptly. 4. Something done or produced through exertion; an achieve(cid:173)
`ment: a play that was his finest effort. 5. Physics Force applied against
`inertia. [Middle English, from Old French esfort, from esforcier, to force,
`exert, from Medieval Latin exfortiare: Latin ex-, ex- + Latin fortis, strong;
`see bhergh-2 in Appendix I.] -efffort•ful adj. -efffort•ful•ly adv.
`ef•fort•less (ef!art-lls) adj. Calling for, requiring, or showing little
`or no effort. See synonyms at easy. -efffort•less•ly adv. -efffort•
`less•ness n.
`ef•front•er•y (l-friin'ta-re) n., pl. -ies Brazen boldness; presump(cid:173)
`tuousness. [French effronterie, from effrontt!, shameless, from Old French
`esfronte, from Vulgar Latin *effrontatus, alteration of Late Latin effrons,
`effront-: ex-, ex-+ frons, front-, front, forehead.]
`
`GE-1016.003