affinity
Use Affinity in a sentence
ɪ noun
1.
a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.
2.
a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking or attraction is felt.
3.
relationship by marriage or by ties other than those of blood ( distinguished from consanguinity ).
4.
inherent likeness or agreement; close resemblance or connection.
5.
Biology. the phylogenetic relationship between two organisms or groups of organisms resulting in a resemblance in general plan or structure, or in the essential structural parts.
6.
Chemistry. the force by which atoms are held together in chemical compounds.
adjective
7.
of or pertaining to persons who share the same interests: to arrange charter flights for opera lovers and other affinity groups.
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Affinity
is always a great word to know.
So is yellow-green algae. Does it mean:
| single-celled colonial algae occurring in soil and on moist rocks and vegetation and also as a slime or scum on ponds and stagnant waters |
| pertaining to or provided with vessels or ducts that convey fluids, as blood, lymph, or sap |
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English affinite < Middle French < Latin affīnitās connection by marriage. See affine, -ity
1275–1325; Middle English affinite < Middle French < Latin affīnitās connection by marriage. See affine, -ity
Related forms
non·af·fin·i·ty, noun, plural non·af·fin·i·ties, adjective
Synonyms
1. partiality, fondness; sympathy, leaning, bent. 4. similarity, compatibility.
1. partiality, fondness; sympathy, leaning, bent. 4. similarity, compatibility.
Antonyms
1. dislike, aversion. 4. dissimilarity, disparity.
1. dislike, aversion. 4. dissimilarity, disparity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To affinity
Collins
World English Dictionary
affinity (əˈfɪnɪtɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n (foll by with | |
| 1. | a natural liking, taste, or inclination towards a person or thing |
| 2. | the person or thing so liked |
| 3. | a close similarity in appearance or quality; inherent likeness |
| 4. | Compare consanguinity relationship by marriage or by ties other than of blood, as by adoption |
| 5. | similarity in structure, form, etc, between different animals, plants, or languages |
| 6. | chem |
| a. the tendency for two substances to combine; chemical attraction | |
| b. A a measure of the tendency of a chemical reaction to take place expressed in terms of the free energy change | |
| 7. | biology a measure of the degree of interaction between two molecules, such as an antigen and antibody or a hormone and its receptor |
| [C14: via Old French from Latin affīnitāt- connected by marriage, from affīnis bordering on, related] | |
| af'finitive | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
affinity
c.1300, "relation by mariage" (as opposed to consanguinity), from O.Fr. afinité, from L. affinitatem (nom. affinitas) "neighborhood, relationship by marriage," from affinis "adjacent," also "kin by marriage," lit. "bordering on," from ad- "to" + finis "a border, an end." Used figuratively since
c.1600 of structural relationships in chemistry, philology, etc. Meaning "natural attraction" (as though by family) is from 1610s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
affinity af·fin·i·ty (ə-fĭn'ĭ-tē)
n.
An attraction or force between particles that causes them to combine.
The attraction between an antigen and an antibody.
A relationship or resemblance in structure between species that suggests a common origin.
The selective staining of a tissue by a dye. The selective uptake of a dye, chemical, or other substance by a tissue.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
affinity (ə-fĭn'ĭ-tē) Pronunciation Key
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Easton
Bible Dictionary
Affinity definition
relationship by alliance (2 Chr. 18:1) or by marriage (1 Kings 3:1). Marriages are prohibited within certain degrees of affinity, enumerated Lev. 18:6-17. Consanguinity is relationship by blood.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Example sentences
The duck-billed mammal has a genetic affinity with both reptiles and birds, according to a new study.
But its affinity for the tomato and its key role in pesto sauce make it indispensable to Italian cooking.
Society exists by chemical affinity, and not otherwise.
We all still share an affinity for the printed page.
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