■ noun
1》 the capacity to have an effect on the character or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.
↘a person or thing with such a capacity.
2》 the power arising out of status, contacts, or wealth.
3》 Physics, archaic electrical or magnetic induction.
■ verb have an ~ on.
Phrases
under the ~ informal affected by alcoholic drink.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~r noun
Origin
ME (orig. in the sense 'influx' and, in astrology, 'the flowing in of ethereal fluid'): from OFr., or from med. L. influentia 'inflow', from L. influere , from in- 'into' + fluere 'to flow'.