special effects: Meaning and Definition of

spe'cial effects'

Pronunciation: [key]
— Motion Pictures, Television. Motion Pictures,Television.
  1. unusual visual and sound effects beyond the range of normal photography or recording, as simulated fires or earthquakes, explosions, thunder and lightning, miniaturized or enlarged images, or other optical or electronic distortions.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.