ns]
noun, verb, -enced, -enc⋅ing.| 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.
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| 5. | the exercise of similar power by human beings. |
| 6. | Obsolete. influx. |
| 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. |
| 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. |

in·flu·ence (ĭn'flōō-əns) n.
[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. |
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]