Etymology : Middle English, from Old French affection, from Latin affection-, affectio, from afficere
Pronunciation : &-'fek-sh&n
Function : noun
Date : 13th century
1. fondness; infirmity, malady. affection\af*fec"tion\ , n. [f. affection, l. affectio, fr. afficere. see:
affect.].
2. the act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.
3. an attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc., are affections of bodies. "the affections of quantity." and, truly, waking dreams were, more or less, an old and strange affection of the house.
4. bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency. affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any object or quality. ogan.
5. a settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; -- often in the pl. formerly followed by to, but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial, social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for or towards children. all his affections are set on his own country.
6. prejudice; bias. [obs.] aylmer.
7. (med.) disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.
8. the lively representation of any emotion.
9. affectation. [obs.] "spruce affection.".
10. passion; violent emotion. [obs.] most wretched man, that to affections does the bridle lend.
11. The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.
12. An attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections of bodies.
13. Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency.
14. A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; often in the pl.
15. Formerly followed by to, but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial, social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for or towards children.
16. Prejudice; bias.
17. Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.
18. The lively representation of any emotion.
19. Affectation.
20. Passion; violent emotion. a positive feeling of liking; "he had trouble expressing the affection he felt"; "the child won everyone's heart".
21. 1. If you regard someone or something with affection, you like them and are fond of them. She thought of him with affection She had developed quite an affection for the place.
22. Your affections are your feelings of love or fondness for someone. The distant object of his affections is Caroline.