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afflict

[uh-flikt]

Example Sentences Origin

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verb (used with object)

to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously: to be afflicted with arthritis.

Obsolete.

to overthrow; defeat.

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

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

EXPAND

un·af·flict·ed, adjective

un·af·flict·ed·ly, adverb

un·af·flict·ed·ness, noun

un·af·flict·ing, adjective

COLLAPSE

Can be confused: afflict, infect, inflict.

Synonyms
1. vex, harass, torment, plague.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To afflict

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Afflict is one of our favorite verbs.

So is absquatulate. Does it mean:

to flee; abscond:

chat, to converse

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Example Sentences

The job of the news media is supposed to be to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.

But this is not an option for tests for those diseases that afflict only those in the tropics.

Drug companies need little arm-twisting when it comes to investing their resources into diseases that afflict millions.

EXPAND

The job of the news media is supposed to be to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.

But this is not an option for tests for those diseases that afflict only those in the tropics.

Drug companies need little arm-twisting when it comes to investing their resources into diseases that afflict millions.

Fireblight may afflict susceptible trees anywhere when conditions are favorable.

For example, diabetes and heart disease often occur together and both often afflict overweight people.

Modesty doesn't commonly afflict million-selling rock stars.

Older suburbs are starting to suffer from some of the crime and joblessness that afflict inner cities.

Today expectant parents concerned about the diseases that could afflict their unborn children don't have a lot of options.

Some donors ask that their gifts be used to ease the loneliness, illness and distress that can afflict the aged.

But even today's mild strain causes aches and pains, which afflict different regions in different ways.

But the tumors that afflict us are not foreign parasites that have acquired sophisticated strategies for attacking our bodies.

Gardner manages to avoid many of the problems that afflict speculators in this airy realm.

These soft patches afflict all recoveries, he said, but they normally prove short-lived.

And cellulite doesn't only afflict the full-figured.

Notable among these are multiple sclerosis and some of the minddestroying illnesses that afflict the elderly.

The same problem will surely afflict any future purchases in fashion.

If not corrected it can, in some cases, eventually afflict the entire hand.

Whatever the economic vicissitudes that may afflict the world of luxury, some parts of the empire are bound to be making money.

Resist the temptation that seems to afflict all adult students to process everything through your experiences.

The list of infectious diseases that afflict the poor world is long and depressing.

Unlike hernias in men, those that afflict women are usually small and internal and rarely cause an obvious bulge.

The ailment is particularly common among black men, although it can afflict others.

These afflict immigrants even more severely than longer-established citizens.

The drug was approved for use in fighting the infections that frequently afflict patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Musicians marveled at the fact that he never practiced and that his hands were free of the calluses that afflict other drummers.

Similar cycles also afflict steel, paper and other bulk commodities.

High drug prices afflict the elderly and chronically ill the most.

But in fact the problem can afflict those traveling in roomier seats, as well.

Plantar fasciitis can afflict anyone who participates in weight-bearing activities.

However, murderous conflicts continue to afflict the continent.

Not that those problems don't sometimes afflict our heroine, too.

Muscle soreness and cramps can afflict almost anyone.

COLLAPSE

Collins

World English Dictionary

afflict (əˈflɪkt)

—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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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,"

EXPAND

Welsh blif "catapult"). Transf. meaning of "trouble, distress," is first recorded 1530s.

COLLAPSE

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Matching Quote

"Has he all that the world loves and admires and covets?—he must cast behind him their admiration, and afflict them by faithfulness to his truth, and become a byword and a hissing."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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