aftereffect
UK[ˈɑːftərɪˌfɛkt]US[ˈæftərəˌfɛkt]
n
an effect that follows its cause after an interval of time, especially a delayed or secondary effect
Morpheme Breakdown
after
effect
after
following
effect
result
Etymology
The compound "aftereffect" is a transparent English formation, logically combining two native elements. "After" originates from Proto-Germanic after, which itself derives from the Proto-Indo-European comparative form h₂ep-tero-, meaning "further behind, more away." "Effect" entered English via Old French from the Latin past participle effectus, from the verb efficere ("to work out, accomplish"). The literal, morphemic meaning is "a following result." Over time, this literal sense specialized to describe a result that is not immediate but manifests later, particularly in contexts like medicine, psychology, or social phenomena, where an initial cause produces a secondary or delayed consequence.
Analysis
Structure: after (following) + effect (result)
- after: From Old English æfter, meaning "behind in place, later in time." It functions as a combining form indicating subsequence.
- effect: From Latin effectus (accomplishment, performance), from efficere (to accomplish). It functions as the core noun meaning a result or consequence.
Examples
The patient experienced dizziness as an aftereffect of the anesthesia.
The economic aftereffects of the pandemic were felt for years.
One common aftereffect of a major life change is a period of emotional adjustment.