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affect to

 - 4 dictionary results

af⋅fect

2  [uh-fekt]
Use affect to in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to give the appearance of; pretend or feign: to affect knowledge of the situation.
2. to assume artificially, pretentiously, or for effect: to affect a Southern accent.
3. to use, wear, or adopt by preference; choose; prefer: the peculiar costume he affected.
4. to assume the character or attitude of: to affect the freethinker.
5. (of things) to tend toward habitually or naturally: a substance that affects colloidal form.
6. (of animals and plants) to occupy or inhabit; live in or on: Lions affect Africa. Moss affects the northern slopes.
7. Archaic.
a. to have affection for; fancy.
b. to aim at; aspire to.
–verb (used without object)
8. Obsolete. to incline, tend, or favor (usually fol. by to): He affects to the old ways.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < MF affecter < L affectāre to strive after, feign (freq. of afficere to do to), equiv. to af- af- + fec- (see affect 1 ) + -tāre freq. suffix

Related forms:
af⋅fect⋅⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. See pretend.

Usage note:
See affect 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

affect  (n.)
c.1374, "mental state," from L. affectus, pp. of afficere "act on, have influence on," a verb of broad meaning, from ad- "to" + facere (pp. factus) "do" (see factitious). The verb meaning "to make an impression on" is attested from 1631.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2af·fect
Pronunciation: &-'fekt, a-
Function: transitive verb
: to produce an effect upon; especially : toproduce a material influence upon or alteration in affected his limbs>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

affect af·fect (ə-fěkt')
v. af·fect·ed, af·fect·ing, af·fects

  1. To have an influence on or affect a change in.

  2. To attack or infect, as a disease.

n. (āf'ěkt')

  1. A feeling or emotion as distinguished from thought, or action.

  2. A strong feeling with active consequences.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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