primary effect

British  

noun

1. psychol the process whereby the first few items on a list are learnt more rapidly than the middle items

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Example Sentences

The test required courts to consider whether the government practice being challenged had a secular purpose, whether its primary effect was to advance or inhibit religion, and whether it encouraged excessive government entanglement with religion.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

Shingles primarily affects older persons who have had such childhood diseases as chicken pox and the primary effect is painful rashes that last for weeks, though nerve pain can persist even longer than that.

From Washington Times • Mar. 2, 2023

The primary effect will be to allow some Venezuelan oil to flow back to the United States, "which will help the U.S. refining system," Wirth said.

From Reuters • Dec. 1, 2022

In Garcia’s district, the primary effect of Jan. 6 was to worsen Americans’ already bleak view of politics, said Hunt Braly, a Valencia attorney.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2022

The primary effect of his sudden and unusual hospitality was to arouse all Gorby's suspicions; but on second thoughts, deeming himself quite a match for Kilsip, both mentally and physically, Gorby accepted the invitation.

From The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Hume, Fergus