What term is used to describe an event that is a direct result of a preceding action?

The term "effect" specifically refers to an event that occurs as a direct result of a preceding action or cause. In the context of cause-and-effect relationships, the cause is the initial action or reason, and the effect is what happens as a result of that action. For example, if someone knocks over a vase (the cause), the vase shattering would be the effect. This terminology is frequently used in both everyday language and academic writing to describe the relationship between actions and their consequent results. Hence, "effect" accurately captures the notion of something that follows an initial event, highlighting the direct connection between cause and its resultant impact.