[af.flict] vt [ME, fr. L afflictus, pp. of affligere to cast down, fr. ad- + fligere to strike--more at profligate] (14c) 1 obs a: humble b: overthrow
2. a: to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish b: trouble, injure syn afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress "ills that afflict the elderly". try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control "children often try their parents' patience". torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance "a horse tormented by flies". torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering "tortured by a sense of guilt". rack stresses straining or wrenching "a body racked by pain".