Dic: in effect (meaning other than ‘in use’)

■ 8 [PHRASE] PHR with cl △You add in effect to a statement or opinion that is not precisely accurate, but which you feel is a reasonable description or summary of a particular situation. (=effectively)

• That deal would create, in effect, the world's biggest airline.

■ in effect: (1) used when you are stating what the facts of a situation are

• In effect, the two systems are identical.
• His wife had, in effect, run the government for the past six months.
• By asking for these particular qualifications, you are, in effect, excluding most women from applying.

■ in effect: used when you are describing what you see as the real facts of a situation

• In effect, we'll be earning less than we were last year.

..... COBUILD, OALD, LDOCE