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under the influence

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in⋅flu⋅ence

  [in-floo-uhns] noun, verb, -enced, -enc⋅ing.
Use under the influence 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.
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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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Word Origin & History

influence 
c.1374, an astrological term, "streaming ethereal power from the stars acting upon character or destiny of men," from O.Fr. influence "emanation from the stars that acts upon one's character and destiny" (13c.), also "a flow of water," from M.L. influentia "a flowing in" (also used in the astrological sense), from L. influentem (nom. influens), prp. of influere "to flow into," from in- "in" + fluere "to flow" (see fluent). Meaning "exercise of personal power by human beings" is from 1439; meaning "exertion of unseen influence by persons" is from 1588 (a sense already in M.L., e.g. Aquinas). Under the influence "drunk" first attested 1866. Influential "powerful" is from 1734.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·flu·ence
Function: noun
1 a : the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
2 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways
3 : one that exerts influence —in·flu·enc·er noun —under the influence : affected by alcohol or another intoxicant under the influence>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

under the influence

Impaired functioning owing to alcohol consumption, as in He was accused of driving under the influence. This expression, from legal jargon, is short for under the influence of intoxicating liquor and implies that one is not completely drunk. Since it is nearly always applied to drivers suspected or so accused, it has given rise to the police acronym DUI, for "driving under the influence." [Second half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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