Affect \Af*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affected}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Affecting}.] [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}.]
1. To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.
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As might affect the earth with cold heat. --Milton.
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The climate affected their health and spirits.
--Macaulay.
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2. To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to
touch.
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A consideration of the rationale of our passions
seems to me very necessary for all who would affect
them upon solid and pure principles.
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3. To love; to regard with affection. [Obs.]
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As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than
affected, rather honored than loved, her. --Fuller.
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4. To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to
choose; hence, to frequent habitually.
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For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit
for it, indeed. --Shak.
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Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank,
nor court that of the great. --Hazlitt.
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5. To dispose or incline.
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Men whom they thought best affected to religion and
their country's liberty. --Milton.
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6. To aim at; to aspire; to covet. [Obs.]
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This proud man affects imperial ?way. --Dryden.
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7. To tend to by affinity or disposition.
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The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
--Newton.
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8. To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to
assume; as, to affect ignorance.
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Careless she is with artful care,
Affecting to seem unaffected. --Congreve.
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Thou dost affect my manners. --Shak.
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9. To assign; to appoint. [R.]
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One of the domestics was affected to his special
service. --Thackeray.
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Syn: To influence; operate; act on; concern; move; melt;
soften; subdue; overcome; pretend; assume.
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