affection definition

1. The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.

2. 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." (Tennyson)

3. 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." (Cogan)

4. 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." (Macaulay)

5. Prejudice; bias.

6. <medicine> Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.

7. The lively representation of any emotion.

8. Affectation. "Spruce affection."

9. Passion; violent emotion. "Most wretched man, That to affections does the bridle lend." (Spenser)

Synonyms: Attachment, passion, tenderness, fondness, kindness, love, good will. See Attachment, Disease.

Origin: F. Affection, L. Affectio, fr. Afficere. See Affect.

(01 Mar 1998)