(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If something ~s a person or thing, it influences them or causes them to change in some way.
Nicotine adversely ~s the functioning of the heart and arteries...
...the worst-~ed areas of Somalia.
VERB: V n, V-ed
2.
If a disease ~s someone, it causes them to become ill.
Arthritis is a crippling disease which ~s people all over the world.
= afflict
VERB: V n
3.
If something or someone ~s you, they make you feel a strong emotion, especially sadness or pity.
The divorce ~ed Jim deeply...
VERB: V n