Search Result for "effective": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (6)

1. producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect;
- Example: "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford
- Example: "effective teaching methods"
- Example: "effective steps toward peace"
- Example: "made an effective entrance"
- Example: "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"
- Example: "an efficacious law"
[syn: effective, effectual, efficacious]

2. able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively;
- Example: "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw
- Example: "effective personnel"
- Example: "an efficient secretary"
- Example: "the efficient cause of the revolution"
[syn: effective, efficient]

3. works well as a means or remedy;
- Example: "an effective reprimand"
- Example: "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"

4. exerting force or influence;
- Example: "the law is effective immediately"
- Example: "a warranty good for two years"
- Example: "the law is already in effect (or in force)"
[syn: effective, good, in effect(p), in force(p)]

5. existing in fact; not theoretical; real;
- Example: "a decline in the effective demand"
- Example: "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"

6. ready for service;
- Example: "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Effective \Ef*fect"ive\, n.
   1. That which produces a given effect; a cause. --Jer.
      Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. One who is capable of active service.
      [1913 Webster]

            He assembled his army -- 20,000 effectives -- at
            Corinth.                              --W. P.
                                                  Johnston.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. [F. effectif real, effective, real amount.] (Com.) Specie
      or coin, as distinguished from paper currency; -- a term
      used in many parts of Europe. --Simmonds.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. The serviceable soldiers in a country; an army or any
      military body, collectively; as, France's effective.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Effective \Ef*fect"ive\, a. [L. effectivus: cf. F. effectif.]
   Having the power to produce an effect or effects; producing a
   decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable;
   operative; as, an effective force, remedy, speech; the
   effective men in a regiment.
   [1913 Webster]

         They are not effective of anything, nor leave no work
         behind them.                             --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

         Whosoever is an effective, real cause of doing his
         heighbor wrong, is criminal.             --Jer. Taylor.

   Syn: Efficient; forcible; active; powerful; energetic;
        competent. See Effectual.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

effective
    adj 1: producing or capable of producing an intended result or
           having a striking effect; "an air-cooled motor was more
           effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-
           distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective
           teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made
           an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be
           effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law" [syn:
           effective, effectual, efficacious] [ant:
           ineffective, ineffectual, uneffective]
    2: able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively;
       "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of
       it for themselves are often highly effective
       persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient
       secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution" [syn:
       effective, efficient]
    3: works well as a means or remedy; "an effective reprimand"; "a
       lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"
    4: exerting force or influence; "the law is effective
       immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is
       already in effect (or in force)" [syn: effective, good,
       in effect(p), in force(p)]
    5: existing in fact; not theoretical; real; "a decline in the
       effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and
       expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"
    6: ready for service; "the fort was held by about 100 effective
       soldiers"