afflict
Use Afflict in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously: to be afflicted with arthritis.
2.
Obsolete.
a.
to overthrow; defeat.
b.
to humble.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English afflicten < Latin afflīctus distressed, past participle of afflīgere to cast down (af- af- + flīg- knock + -tus past participle suffix); replacing Middle English aflight < Middle French aflit < L. See inflict
1350–1400; Middle English afflicten < Latin afflīctus distressed, past participle of afflīgere to cast down (af- af- + flīg- knock + -tus past participle suffix); replacing Middle English aflight < Middle French aflit < L. See inflict
Related forms
af·flict·ed·ness, noun
af·flict·er, noun
o·ver·af·flict, verb (used with object)
pre·af·flict, verb (used with object)
self-af·flict·ing, adjective
un·af·flict·ed, adjective
un·af·flict·ed·ly, adverb
un·af·flict·ed·ness, noun
un·af·flict·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. vex, harass, torment, plague.
1. vex, harass, torment, plague.
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.
Cite This Source
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Link To afflict
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Afflict
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
afflict (əˈflɪkt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| (tr) to cause suffering or unhappiness to; distress greatly | |
| [C14: from Latin afflictus, past participle of afflīgere to knock against, from flīgere to knock, to strike] | |
| af'flictive | |
| —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
afflict
late 14c., "to cast down," from O.Fr. afflicter, from L. afflictare "to damage, harass, torment," freq. of affligere (pp. afflictus) "to dash down, overthrow," from ad- "to" + fligere (pp. flictus) "to strike," from PIE base *bhlig- "to strike" (cf. Gk. phlibein "to press, crush," Czech blizna "scar,"
Welsh blif "catapult"). Transf. meaning of "trouble, distress," is first recorded 1530s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Some donors ask that their gifts be used to ease the loneliness, illness and distress that can afflict the aged.
Musicians marveled at the fact that he never practiced and that his hands were free of the calluses that afflict other drummers.
Modesty doesn't commonly afflict million-selling rock stars.
Muscle soreness and cramps can afflict almost anyone.
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