side effect
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Noun [edit]
side effect (plural side effects)
- (idiomatic) An unintended consequence of any action in addition to the intended consequence of that action.
- 1987, Brundtland Report:
- The processing of certain raw materials - pulp and paper, oil, and alumina, for example - can have substantial environmental side effects.
- 1980, Advanced Automation for Space Missions:
- A side effect of this architecture (which was designed only for efficient fabrication) is that it also performs automated repair.
- 2007, Sylvia Escott-Stump, Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care[1]:
- Useful for mild depression but may trigger coronary problems. A positive side effect is that it may actually help with degenerative joint disease symptoms.
- 1987, Brundtland Report:
- (idiomatic, medicine) An adverse effect, an unintended consequence of a drug or therapy; usually not a beneficial effect.
- (computing) A change in state caused by a function call (typically "side-effect").
- Eiffel is somewhat purist about insisting that functions have no side effects.
Usage notes [edit]
- Adjectives often applied to "side effect": mild, moderate, serious, severe, dangerous, unpleasant, debilitating, negative, positive, nasty, bad, horrible, terrible, painful, unexpected, unintended, strong, obvious, etc.
Synonyms [edit]
Translations [edit]
unintended consequence of any action
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medicine: an adverse effect
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computing: a state change caused by a function call
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