- L. affectus, p. p. of afficere to affect by active agency; ad + facere to make: cf. F. affectere, L. affectare, freq. of afficere. See Fact
- To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.As might affect the earth with cold heat.The climate affected their health and spirits.
- To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to touch.A consideration of the rationale of our passions seems to me very necessary for all who would affect them upon solid and pure principles.
- To love; to regard with affection.ObsAs for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her.
- To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose; hence, to frequent habitually.For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for it, indeed.Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank, nor court that of the great.
- To dispose or incline.Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty.
- To aim at; to aspire; to covet.ObsThis proud man affects imperial �way.
- To tend to by affinity or disposition.The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
- To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume; as, to affect ignorance.Careless she is with artful care,Affecting to seem unaffected.Thou dost affect my manners.
- To assign; to appoint.ROne of the domestics was affected to his special service.To influence; operate; act on; concern; move; melt; soften; subdue; overcome; pretend; assume.
