/ ˈɪnfluəns; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U , C ] influence (on / upon sb/sth) the effect that sb/sth has on the way a person thinks or behaves or on the way that sth works or develops :
to have / exert a strong influence on sb
the influence of the climate on agricultural production
What exactly is the influence of television on children?
2.
[ U ] influence (over sb/sth) the power that sb/sth has to make sb/sth behave in a particular way :
Her parents no longer have any real influence over her.
She could probably exert her influence with the manager and get you a job.
He committed the crime under the influence of drugs.
3.
[ C ] influence (on sb/sth) a person or thing that affects the way a person behaves and thinks :
cultural influences
Those friends are a bad influence on her.
His first music teacher was a major influence in his life.
•
IDIOMS
- under the influence
■ verb
1.
to have an effect on the way that sb behaves or thinks, especially by giving them an example to follow :
[ vn ]
His writings have influenced the lives of millions.
to be strongly influenced by sth
Don't let me influence you either way.
[ v wh- ]
The wording of questions can influence how people answer.
[also vn to inf ]
2.
to have an effect on a particular situation and the way that it develops :
[ vn ]
A number of social factors influence life expectancy.
[also v wh- ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , or from medieval Latin influentia inflow, from Latin influere , from in- into + fluere to flow. The word originally had the general sense an influx, flowing matter , also specifically (in astrology) the flowing in of ethereal fluid (affecting human destiny) . The current sense was established in Scholastic Latin by the 13th cent., but not recorded in English until the late 16th cent.