v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' fekt, a-
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French affecter, from Latin affectare, frequentative of afficere to influence, from ad- + facere to do ― more at DO
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 archaic : to aim at
2 a archaic : to have affection for b : to be given to : FANCY < affect flashy clothes>
3 : to make a display of liking or using : CULTIVATE < affect a worldly manner>
4 : to put on a pretense of : FEIGN < affect indifference, though deeply hurt>
5 : to tend toward <drops of water affect roundness>
6 : FREQUENT
intransitive verb obsolete : INCLINE 2
synonyms see ASSUME
usage see EFFECT