Aftereffect

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɑːftəɹ.ɪˌfɛkt/

Definitions

1. A residual consequence of an occurrence that continues to influence emotional, psychological, or physical conditions
2. An enduring impact that develops after an event, often altering a person's mental or physical well-being
3. A lasting influence or result stemming from a prior event, which may affect one's emotional, psychological, or physical state

Etymology: The word is a plain compound: "after-" attached to "effect," and the "after-" element is the older and more interesting half. It descends from Old English "æfter," which meant "behind" in space before it ever meant "later" in time. The sense of something following along behind is still visible in the prefix, so an aftereffect is literally an effect that trails along behind its cause. "Effect" has a more Latin pedigree. It comes through Middle English and Old French from Latin "effectus," a noun built on "efficere," meaning "to accomplish" or "to bring about," which is itself "ex-" plus "facere," "to make" or "do." The word therefore carries the idea of something made or brought out into being, and "aftereffect" keeps that sense while adding the notion of a result that arrives later.

Synonyms: consequence, result, aftermath, outcome

Antonyms: cause, prelude, antecedent