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inflict

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅flict

[in-flikt]
–verb (used with object)
1. to impose as something that must be borne or suffered: to inflict punishment.
2. to impose (anything unwelcome): The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.
3. to deal or deliver, as a blow.

Origin:
1520–30; < L inflīctus ptp. of inflīgere to strike or dash against, equiv. to in- in- 2 + flīg- (s. of flīgere to beat down) + -tus ptp. suffix


in⋅flict⋅a⋅ble, adjective
in⋅flict⋅er, in⋅flic⋅tor, noun
in⋅flic⋅tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To inflict
in·flict   (ĭn-flĭkt')   
tr.v.   in·flict·ed, in·flict·ing, in·flicts
  1. To deal or mete out (something punishing or burdensome); impose: inflicted heavy losses on the enemy; a storm that inflicted widespread damage.

  2. To afflict.


[Latin īnflīgere, īnflīct- : in-, on; see in-2 + flīgere, to strike.]
in·flict'er, in·flic'tor n., in·flic'tive adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

inflict 
1566, from L. inflictus, pp. of infligere "to strike or dash against," from in- "on, against" + fligere (pp. flictus) "to dash, strike" (see afflict). You inflict a plague on someone; you afflict someone with a plague.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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