[af.fect] n [ME, fr. L affectus, fr. afficere] (14c) 1 obs: feeling, affection
2: the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes usage see effect
[2]af.fect vb [ME, fr. MF & L; MF affecter, fr. L affectare, freq. of afficere to influence, fr. ad- + facere to do--more at do] vt (15c) 1 archaic: to aim at
2. a archaic: to have affection for b: to be given to: fancy "~ flashy clothes"
3: to make a display of liking or using: cultivate "~ a worldly manner"
4: to put on a pretense of: feign "~ indifference, though deeply hurt"
5: to tend toward "drops of water ~ roundness"
6: frequent ~ vi, obs: incline
2. syn see assume usage see effect [3]affect vt [ME, fr. affectus, pp. of afficere] (15c): to produce an effect upon: as a: to produce a material influence upon or alteration in "paralysis ~ed his limbs" b: to act upon (as a person or a person's mind or feelings) so as to effect a response: influence usage see effect -- af.fect.abil.i.ty n -- af.fect.able adj syn affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction "the sight affected her to tears". influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior) "our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing" "a drug that influences growth rates". touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming "plants touched by frost" "his emotions were touched by her distress". impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect "only one of the plans impressed him". strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation "struck by the solemnity of the occasion". sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action "politicians who are swayed by popular opinion".