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influences - 2 dictionary results

in⋅flu⋅ence

  [in-floo-uhns] noun, verb, -enced, -enc⋅ing.
Use influences in a Sentence
–noun
1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.
2. the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others: Her mother's influence made her stay.
3. a person or thing that exerts influence: He is an influence for the good.
4. Astrology.
a. the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.
b. the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.
5. the exercise of similar power by human beings.
6. Obsolete. influx.
–verb (used with object)
7. to exercise influence on; affect; sway: to influence a person.
8. to move or impel (a person) to some action: Outside factors influenced her to resign.
—Idiom
9. under the influence, Law. less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired: He was driving while under the influence. Also, under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
Origin:
1325–75; ME < ML influentia stellar emanation, equiv. to L influent- (see influent ) + -ia -y 3 ; see -ence

Related forms:
in⋅flu⋅ence⋅a⋅ble, adjective
in⋅flu⋅enc⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
2. sway, rule. See authority. 7. impress, bias, direct, control. 8. incite, rouse, arouse, instigate, induce, persuade.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To influences
in·flu·ence   (ĭn'flōō-əns)   
n.  
  1. A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort: relaxed under the influence of the music; the influence of television on modern life.
  2. Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position: used her parent's influence to get the job.
    1. A person who exerts influence: My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
    2. An effect or change produced by influence.
    3. A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
    4. Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.
    1. A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
    2. Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.
tr.v.   in·flu·enced, in·flu·enc·ing, in·flu·enc·es
  1. To produce an effect on by imperceptible or intangible means; sway.
  2. To affect the nature, development, or condition of; modify. See Synonyms at affect1.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin īnfluentia, influx, from Latin īnfluēns, īnfluent-, present participle of īnfluere, to flow in : in-, in; see in-2 + fluere, to flow; see bhleu- in Indo-European roots.]
in'flu·ence·a·ble adj., in'flu·enc·er n.
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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